The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area has more than Rs 250 crore in outstanding energy bills, which correspond to nearly 1.4 lakh connections. The Bengal government has agreed to waive the late payment surcharge (LPSC) and grant a 50% concession on these bills.
R. According to Vimala, the district magistrate of Kalimpong, “domestic consumers” who owe money as of December 31 can receive a onetime waiver of 50% of the charge; the other 50% must be paid in full. Vimala stated in a written declaration that “LPSC generated for the same until 31.12.2018 (bill and predicted) shall be waived completely fully.” Only at the month-long Duare Sarkar programme in November will the waiver be available.
Due to unpaid power debt incurred during the Gorkhaland agitation led by the Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, over 1.4 lakh users in the Darjeeling Hills were experiencing trouble. As part of a “non-cooperation movement,” the party invited hill people to cease paying their electricity bills starting on April 1, 2008, and continuing until they agreed to create the GTA in July 2011. According to sources, the LPSC had reached Rs 235.50 crore while the arrears due between April 1, 2008, and July 2011, was approximately Rs 81.72 crore.
Hill homeowners were not compelled by the WBSEDCL to pay the delinquent balance, but unpaid bills are inconvenient. When transferring power connections as part of a house sale, changing ownership of a property after a parent’s passing, or applying for a new connection, people frequently run into difficulties.
Anit Thapa, the president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), former Darjeeling MLA Amar Singh Rai, and Bimal Gurung’s party had also requested a reimbursement.
In 2013, the state government declared that it could not order firms to waive fees. The meeting between the GTA and state government in 2013 was noted in the meeting record as “it was stressed that the state government could not direct corporations like the WBSEDCL and BSNL to waive dues and there was no chance of exemption under the Electricity Act.” A source claimed that “the policy decision now looks to have changed.” Individual beneficiaries and farmer committees operating shallow tube wells, deep tube wells, and river lift irrigation are included in the exemption.