As the Union Government announced that the two high-value demonetised notes would be legal tender in essential services till November 24, the power distribution companies (Discoms) are having gala time as their coffers are now filled up beyond expectation.
All the four Discoms are receiving more and more money from the small consumers having low tension (lT) lines which were pending with them.
The Central Electricity Supply Utility (Cesu), the Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco), the Western Electricity Supply Company (Wesco) and the Southern Electricity Supply Company (Soutco) are now getting the energy charges which were pending for long with consumers.
According to reports reaching the Department of Energy (DoE), consumers are queuing up in the offices of the four Discoms to deposit Rs1000 and Rs500 notes.
This has resulted in excess collection of over 80 per cent in comparison to the corresponding period of 2015. Till November 17, the four Discoms received over Rs60 crore, which is nearly 81 per cent excess as per official records compared to the same period of 2015.
The Southco has received 175 per cent excess by receiving Rs12 crore while it was able to collect only Rs4.40 crore during the corresponding period of 2015.
The Cesu received Rs28 crore, which is nearly 89 per cent excess in comparison to the corresponding time last year when the collection was Rs15 crore.
The Wesco collected over 63 per cent worth Rs9.75 crore compared to Rs5.96 crore from November 9 to 17, 2015. The Nesco received Rs9.62 crore, which is more than 25 per cent in comparison to the corresponding period of 2015.
As the consumers are showing interest to pay their dues, the Discoms would allow collection till November 24, said official sources.
While the Union Government has allowed only lT consumers to pay their dues with old notes, most small consumers of electricity like individual houses, shops, small offices and smaller manufacturing units having their electricity on lT connection are paying in large numbers.