Pune collectorate to clear power dues by Monday

After facing criticism by the media, the district collector’s office has decided to pay its outstanding electricity bills by Monday so that work can be resumed at the six offices at the Bachat Bhavan on the collectorate premises.

The sources said that the dues would be paid on Monday and the electricity would also be restored.

DNA had reported in its Saturday issue that work in the six offices of the collectorate had come to a standstill since last eight days as the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) had cut off power supply to them due to non-payment of bills.

The six offices have a common meter and dues amounting to Rs70,880 have not been paid since several months.

A senior official from the district collector’s office said that besides the electricity bills, the collectorate’s water and telephone bills were also pending since several months.

It is only because the premises house the collector’s office that these facilities have not been disconnected, quipped the official.
Sources said that since the media had picked up the issue, there would be some arrangement for paying the dues in a day or two.

The Bachat Bhavan, which houses offices of the entertainment tax department and four offices of special land acquisition department, could not function since November 26.

Every day almost 500 citizens visit these offices to seek various permissions and sanctions and work at the entertainment tax branch, which does business in crores, suffered a severe blow due to the power cut.

The sources said that the entertainment tax office would pay its share in the bill on Monday to clear the dues.