Uttar Pradesh: Several Districts Begin Cutting Off Welfare Benefits Of Those Not Clearing Electricity Dues

After being advised by the Chief Secretary of the state to adopt innovative approaches to improve the recovery rates of electricity dues, a number of district magistrates (DMs) of various districts in Uttar Pradesh have issued directives to officials to disallow those who fail to present their latest remit paid slip of the electricity from receiving welfare benefits.

The order of DM, Jaunpur says that due to heavy revenue losses to UP Power Corporation, the power crisis in state has taken a turn for worse. One of the major reason for such loss, is non payment of electricity dues by a significant number of consumers.

"Subsequently it has been decided by the government that while granting benefits in welfare schemes or processing documents such as birth certificate or driving licence, it would be mandatory for the applicant to produce the 'remit paid slip' of electricity bill," the letter of the DM reveals.

The DM asserted that similar steps have also been taken in other districts like Gorakhpur, and that the recovery of dues is already showing an improvement.

(With inputs from IANS)