RAICHUR: Even as Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) is inviting global tenders for purchase of 5 lakh tonnes of coal to tackle the power situation in the coming months, the agency has uncollected dues worth over Rs 15,000 crore that Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) and Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) owe it for the power purchased over the last several years.
According to latest data accessed by TNIE, payment of Rs 15,464.77 crore is pending from all the supply companies and KPTCL, which, experts say, may affect the operational efficiency of KPCL and the state-run thermal power plants in the long run. The highest defaulter is the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM), which has dues of Rs 6,610.95 crore, of which Rs 1,607.89 crore is composed of interest. The figures are up to date till Oct 20, 2018.
Kalaburagi’s GESCOM is the second major defaulter, having dues to the tune of Rs 2,334.64 cr. A GESCOM source said the amount keeps piling up since the corporations have pending dues. Also, the government subsidies given to farmers are not paid by the state.
The list of defaulting electricity companies also includes Mysuru’s Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC), which has to pay Rs 2,174.17 crore, including an interest of Rs 859.27 crore. Also having huge sums that are yet to be paid are Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited (HESCOM) and Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (MESCOM). While HESCOM has pending dues pegged at Rs 1,914.35 crore, MESOM owes KPCL Rs 1,729.60 crore.
The KPTCL has to pay Rs 701.06 crore to the KPCL, and much of it is the interest for the delay, amounting to over Rs 650 crore. The bill amount of all ESCOMs and KPTCL put together is calculated at Rs 10,111.66 crore. The total interest is Rs 5,353.11 crore, making the total Rs 15,464.77 crore.
Additional Chief Secretary of Energy Department P Ravikumar told Express that the unpaid amount from the ESCOMs and KPTCL will not have an impact on the operational efficiency of the KPCL. This is an intra-governmental issue and there is no need to worry at all, he said. Responding to how the KPCL will run, or even purchase coal, he said, “The KPCL will borrow from the state and other institutions and the state will ensure that it will be run smoothly.” For purchase of 5 lakh metric tonnes of coal, KPCL hardly needs Rs 20 crore, he said.
However, an expert on the energy sector who did not wish to be named said that the KPCL is already facing revenue crunch, and is going down steadily. The KPCL, which is run by the state, and although supported by the state government for its smooth operations, is a huge burden, he said, adding that even though the non-payment of dues is an intra-governmental issue and the state can support it, the solution is not long-lasting.