BHUBANESWAR: Power distribution companies of the State are alleged to have misused the security deposits of consumers.
This came to the notice during a review of audited accounts of Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU), North Eastern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO), Southern Electricity Supply Company (SOUTHCO) and Western Electricity Supply Company (WESCO) by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
As per the report, security deposit of about 59 lakh power consumers with the four distribution companies (Discoms) was `1544.47 crore till March 31, 2014. During scrutiny of records, it was found that the amount has come down to `1064.51 crore by the end of October the same year, a defict of `479.84 crore, said president of Odisha Electricity Consumers’ Association Ramesh Satapathy. It has also come to notice that `994.71 crore has been pledged in banks for availing loan for Discoms towards payment of salary and bulk supply bills, he said.
Alleging that this is a matter of grave concern, Satpathy urged the State Government to take suitable action against the Discoms for misuse of the security deposit.
Dismissing the allegations, Gridco’s Chief General Manager, Finance BP Mohapatra said the security money is deposited in bank to avail special over draft facility to pay salary of employees.