Odisha Faces ₹6,957 Crore in Unpaid Power Bills: Deputy CM Tells Assembly

Bhubaneswar: Electricity dues totalling ₹6,957.57 crore remain outstanding across Odisha, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a query from Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam, Singh Deo said that ₹6,558.64 crore is pending from active consumers, while another ₹398.93 crore is owed by various industrial and commercial units.

The minister, who also oversees the Energy Department, said power distribution companies have intensified recovery drives. Monthly domestic bills are being collected through door-to-door visits, and special camps are being held to settle long-pending arrears.

Consumers failing to clear dues on time are being served notices, followed by disconnection of electricity supply if payments remain pending.

To simplify payments, Singh Deo stated that an online system has been strengthened, and street plays are being organised in rural areas to promote awareness about digital payment methods.