Jammu, April 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday disclosed that outstanding electricity dues across government departments, public sector units and security establishments in the Union Territory have surged to over Rs 3,747 crore.
This information was shared by Chief minister, who is incharge of the Power Development Department (PDD), in response to a question raised by PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in the Assembly today.
According to the data, the total outstanding stands at Rs 3,74,735.42 lakh, including Rs 2,31,022.41 lakh under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Rs 1,43,713.01 lakh under Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL).
The Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has emerged as the single largest defaulter, with dues amounting to Rs 1,30,043 lakh, followed by the Irrigation and Flood control department at Rs 58,059.72 lakh.
Among security agencies, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) owes Rs 29,638.45 lakh, while the Army has pending dues of Rs 19,719.94 lakh and the Border Security Force (BSF) Rs 1,116.87 lakh.
The Home department has accumulated dues of Rs 22,306.46 lakh, while the housing and urban development department stands at Rs 14,449.47 lakh. The power development department itself has outstanding liabilities of Rs 10,756.53 lakh, and the Power Development Corporation Rs 2,277.51 lakh.
Municipal bodies account for a significant burden, with municipalities alone owing Rs 24,163.80 lakh. The Revenue and Relief Department has dues of Rs 8,227.62 lakh, while the Health and Medical Education Department owes Rs 11,989.31 lakh.
Other major contributors include the Tourism Department (Rs 4,759.05 lakh), Education Department (Rs 2,866.40 lakh), Public Works (R&B) Department (Rs 1,951.21 lakh), and Rural Development Department (Rs 1,062.95 lakh).