Odisha’s Berhampur to plunge into darkness from tomorrow?

Berhampur: Streets of Odisha’s Berhampur town may witness darkness after sunset from tomorrow, owing to non-payment of electricity bill amounting to Rs 7.65 crore by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).

The TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) had on November 2 issued a notice to the civic body in this regard, grating 15 days of time for payment of the pending electricity bill.

With November 17 being the deadline, uncertainties shroud the continuation of street light and similar services in the town from tomorrow.

According to reports, an amount of Rs 16 crore was pending on BeMC in the form of electricity dues before March, 2021.

Expressing inability to pay the whole amount, the civic body had later urged the TPCODL for an One Time Settlement. Relaxing an amount of Rs 8.55 crore, the discom had on August 22 written to the BeMC for payment of Rs 7.65 crore.

As the civic body did not pay the rebated amount, TPCODL served a notice to the BeMC grating a 15-day period for the bill payment with deadline of November 17.

The discom has also warned of discontinuation of electricity supply to street lights here in the case of non-payment of the dues by the deadline.

Copies of the notice have been sent to the Chief Secretary and the Energy Department.