MUMBAI: The BEST Committee on Wednesday approved an amnesty scheme that will allow around 16,000 electricity consumers to clear their long-pending dues by paying the principal amount while getting relief from penalties and related charges.Under the scheme, pending electricity bills from 2006 to 2023 will be covered, with the utility expecting to recover about Rs 39 crore. BEST officials said the initiative aims to encourage defaulters to settle old dues and improve revenue realisation.A BEST spokesperson said consumers of all categories whose electricity meters were removed from October 2006 to June 30, 2023, due to non-payment of electricity bills will be eligible.“Under this scheme, Interest on Arrears (IOA) and Delayed Payment (DP) Charges will be waived off after recovery of arrears amount as on the date of meter removal. Consumers can participate and avail the benefit of this scheme for 3 months from October 1 to December 31,” he added.BEST deputy general manager (Electric Supply) S P Makwana said the undertaking would launch an extensive awareness campaign to ensure maximum participation by eligible consumers.Information about the scheme will be publicised through newspaper advertisements, posters and messages attached to electricity bills. BEST also plans to reach consumers through SMS and WhatsApp campaigns to popularise the scheme and generate a strong response.“We will create greater awareness among the public through multiple channels and expect a huge response from our consumers,” Makwana added.BEST currently supplies electricity to around 10.8 lakh consumers in Mumbai.
