NEW DELHI: In yet another test for power sector reforms, dues of discoms (distribution companies) to gencos (generation companies) rose by more than 23% to Rs 1,03,330 crore at the end March from Rs 83,709 crore in the year-ago period. The dues do not include amounts disputed by discoms, a fact that makes the situation more grim.
The outstanding amount is the highest since 2017, marking more than a fourfold increase from the over Rs 24,910 crore which discoms owed to gencos in March that year, according to data from power ministry’s Praapti (Payment Ratification And Analysis in Power Procurement for Bringing Transparency in Invoicing) portal that tracks billing and payments of gencos. The ballooning overdues underlines the challenges for the Centre’s reforms initiatives at the state level.
