Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: MSEDCL Warns Homebuyers To Beware Of Outstanding Electricity Bills On Resale Properties | File Photo
Those planning to purchase a resale house should ensure that the previous owner has cleared the outstanding electricity bills or else the new owner will have to pay. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has indicated that the pending electricity bills will be recovered from the new owners, according to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
In all 19 such cases were submitted in the Supreme Court and the decision was given in the favour of the company. As per directives of the apex court, the new owners will be responsible for the previous outstanding electricity bills.
The company sources informed that people should remain cautious while purchasing resale houses and check their pending electricity bills, if any. The MSEDCL officers have issued orders to employees to recover the pending bills from the new owners.
The new owners of the resale house often apply for a new electricity connection for their house. However, they do not inquire about the pending electricity bills with the previous owners. The company incurs heavy losses due to the pending bills. Hence, the company has decided that no new connection will be issued unless the payment of the outstanding bills. The new owners either have to ask the previous owners or clear the bills themselves for availing a new electricity connection.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Circle, the electricity connections of 32,355 consumers have been permanently disconnected by March 20, 2024. These consumers have outstanding bills of Rs 571.63 crore. If people purchase houses from them, they will have to bear the outstanding electricity bills.
Chief Engineer Pawankumar Kachot said the new owner of the house or other establishment will be responsible for paying the outstanding amount owned by the previous owner. No new electricity connection will be issued unless the outstanding amount is cleared.
Similarly, the owners, whose electricity connection has been permanently disconnected, have been offered an amnesty scheme, in which the fine and the interest on the bills can be waived, the MSEDCL sources said. The scheme is applicable until March 31 this year, and the concerned consumers should take advantage of it, company officials have appealed.
