J&K depts among top 100 power defaulters, owe govt ₹1,000 crore

Among the biggest defaulters is Baba Jangi, a consumer under Ganderbal circle, with arrears amounting to ₹63.7cr

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

JAMMU: Even as the Omar Abdullah government has promised to bring reforms in the power sector, his cash-strapped government on Thursday revealed the identities of the top 100 electricity defaulters who collectively owe ₹1,000 crore in arrears. The defaulters include government departments, public sector units and private entities.

Responding to a question raised by Langate Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khursheed in the assembly in Jammu, the government furnished the list of the top 100 defaulters. Khursheed had sought transparency on pending dues and beneficiaries of the recently launched electricity amnesty scheme.

While residents of Jammu and Kashmir have alleged that they have been slapped with inflated power bills, among the highest defaulters is Baba Jangi, a consumer under Ganderbal circle, with arrears amounting to ₹63.78 crore.