Comprising around 3,600 homes, colony has been in dispute with supplier for almost 20 years | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
While lakhs of electricity consumers pay their bills in time, several residents of Siddharth Colony, Chembur, continue to enjoy free electricity. The colony was being supplied power by Reliance Energy, which was taken over by Adani Electricity in 2018-19. The dues have escalated to around Rs 120 crore including the charges approved by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) in the tariff schedule.
The colony comprising around 3,600 houses has been in dispute with the power supplier for almost 20 years. From sending notices to cutting the power supply and registering FIRs under the Electricity Act, the power suppliers have done it all to recover the dues. However, after Adani Electricity took over Reliance Energy in 2018-2019, the latter tried to settle the dispute and the defaulters agreed to pay the running bills. But, not all of them kept their promises as a result of which the dues, which were around Rs 75 crores then, have now jumped to Rs 120 crores.
Comprising around 3,600 homes, colony has been in dispute with supplier for almost 20 years | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
Comprising around 3,600 homes, colony has been in dispute with supplier for almost 20 years | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
Comprising around 3,600 homes, colony has been in dispute with supplier for almost 20 years | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
The Siddharth Colony residents claim that the developer under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority promised to settle the due electricity bills on their behalf. The first developer was a Khar-based builder Kartick Bhatt, who sold his rights to Adishakti Co, of which Deepak Nikhalje, brother of Chhota Rajan, was one of the directors. The project is now with Ruparel Realty. When contacted, an official of Ruparel Realty said his company has not made any commitment to clear the electricity dues of the residents. He said it was for individual residents to clear their dues.
While, Adani Electricity says, “As per the legal provision, entire dues are required to be cleared by the defaulting customers. It is in the interest of defaulting customers that they clear their dues regularly to prevent accrual of interest payable, or disconnection.”
Prashant Jadhav, a resident of Siddharth Colony said, “80 percent of us have started paying the current bills after Adani took over Reliance Energy. Many of us have also cleared the dues. It was the builder who promised us to pay our bills but we are still waiting. We still get notices and many meters are disconnected.”
There are also FIRS registered in Chembur and Deonar police stations against some residents of Siddharth Colony for electricity theft, however, the residents do not budge and have continued not clearing the dues.
Raju Gaikwad, a resident and worker of the Republican Party of India (A) said, “I have cleared my dues which were around Rs 2 lakhs.
Comprising around 3,600 homes, colony has been in dispute with supplier for almost 20 years | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
Another resident from Siddharth Colony who uses an illegal connection said, “Our meter was disconnected. We have cases registered against us at the police station. But it was the builder who promised to pay bills on our behalf. He has now run away and we have lost hope.” The residents also added that Adani Electricity should have negotiated with Reliance Energy on unpaid bills and disputes of Siddharth Colony before taking over.
When The Free Press Journal asked Adani Electricity on the issue of unpaid bills, the spokesperson informed that around 400 customers have fully settled their outstanding and are paying regular bills, while 3,100 customers still are defaulters.
“To evade payment of past outstanding bills certain customers had opted for legal recourse. After a detailed hearing, the court has directed them to pay the entire outstanding as per the bills. But the settlement is delayed which is increasing their liability on account of interest payable by them as per the MERC Tariff Order,” Adani Electricity’s spokesperson said.
At regular intervals, the residents of Siddharth Colony face electricity cuts and stay in the dark as a result of unpaid bills. However, the power company restored the connection on humanitarian grounds.
