KKN Gurugram Desk |  The tension is rising for electricity bill defaulters in Muzaffarpur. The electricity department has launched a strict campaign against those with unpaid bills. So far, 30,000 electricity consumers with pending dues have been identified, and red notices have been issued against them. Consumers who fail to pay their outstanding electricity bills will receive legal notices, and in extreme cases, their assets may be auctioned.

Smart Meters Removed for Non-Payment

In an aggressive move, the North Bihar Power Distribution Company (NBPDCL) has started removing smart meters of defaulters. As part of this campaign, the Eastern Division of Muzaffarpur has already removed 5,000 smart meters. Officials have clarified that those who have not recharged their prepaid smart meters for over three months are facing immediate action.

Step-by-Step Action Plan Against Defaulters

The power department is following a systematic approach to recover the dues:

1. Red Notices Issued – The first step involves issuing a red notice to all consumers who have pending electricity bills.
2. Legal Notice Sent – If the dues are not cleared after the red notice, the defaulters receive a legal notice.
3. Auction Process Begins – If the legal notice is ignored, the department initiates the auction process.
4. Smart Meter Removal – The authorities have already removed 5,000 smart meters from consumers who failed to clear dues for over three months.
5. Electricity Disconnection – For severe defaulters, electricity connections are disconnected permanently.

Public Awareness Campaign on Bill Payment

To ensure timely payment, the electricity department is conducting a public awareness campaign. Officials are using auto-rickshaws and motorbikes to spread messages across different localities. They are urging consumers to pay their electricity bills on time to avoid legal consequences.

Strict Orders from Senior Officials

According to Pankaj Rajesh, the Superintending Engineer, orders have been issued for strict action against over 1,000 electricity bill defaulters. Assistant electricity engineers have been assigned the responsibility of tracking and recovering pending dues.

312 Electricity Connections Disconnected in Laukahi

The Laukahi Block is witnessing a major crackdown, where electricity connections of 312 consumers have been disconnected for non-payment. The NBPDCL has launched a special campaign in 18 panchayats of Laukahi to tackle long-standing electricity dues.

Authorities Take a Tough Stand

Shivam Kumar, the Executive Engineer of Khutauna, stated that under the guidance of Ramesh Kumar, the Electrical Executive Engineer, a dedicated team has been formed to track defaulters. More than 5,000 notices have been pasted on homes of those who have not cleared their bills. These steps aim to recover financial losses and improve revenue collection for the power department.

Legal Action Against 8,000 Consumers

The authorities are also preparing for legal action against 8,000 electricity defaulters. Consumers who fail to comply may face strict penalties, legal proceedings, and even property auctions.

The electricity department in Muzaffarpur has made it clear that non-payment of bills will not be tolerated. The strict campaign, including notices, smart meter removal, disconnection, and legal action, is aimed at ensuring timely payments and preventing revenue losses. Consumers are urged to clear their dues promptly to avoid severe consequences. The department will continue its crackdown to ensure smooth and efficient electricity distribution across the region.