Electricity disconnected at Hyderabad’s cricket stadium over Rs 1.63 Cr pending bill

Hyderabad: In less than 24 hours before the IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scheduled to be held on April 5th- Friday, The Telangana power distribution department disconnected electricity to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal over non payment of Rs 1.63 Cr electricity bill.

Speaking to NewsMeter, a top officer from the Department said, ‘The first notice to clear a pending bill of Rs 1.63 crore was issued in February 2024. Despite several follow ups, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has not bothered to pay the pending bill. An electricity bill of Rs 1.63 crore has been pending for the last seven years. Earlier, the HCA approached the High Court requesting with the plea to delay the payment, he said.

The officer further said, “When high potential customers are making good business why shouldn't such an action be initiated against them. When a common man does not pay his/her electricity bill action is taken within a month. Why shouldn't action be taken against the HCA.”

The notice that was issued in February 2024 to the HCA for payment of Rs 3,05,12,790 (Due 1,41,18,269/-+ Surcharge - 1,63,94,521 /- with regard to Theft of Energy case). There shall be interim direction to the respondents to restore the power supply immediately to the service connection of the HCA subject to their paying 50 per cent of the due amount i.e, Rs.1,41,18,269. Out of the balance 50 per cent of the due amount, 25 per cent shall be paid by the HCA by April 30, 2022, and the remaining 25 per cent shall be paid by the petitioner association by 31st May, 2022.

The HCA is directed to make a representation to the official respondents ventilating their grievance in respect thereof and on such representation being made, the official respondents shall consider the same in accordance with law. In case the petitioner does not comply with the above conditions, the respondent corporation is free to take necessary action. It is made clear that the petitioner association shall continue to pay the monthly C.C, charges to the respondent Corporation on or before the due date. Further, the HCA have made payment of all three installments (1st installment s.70,59,135/- vide PR.NO20042210570044 Dt.20-APR-22 , 2nd installment Rs.35,29,567/- vide 20042210570053 Dt.20-APR-22and 3rd installment Rs.35,29,567/- vide 21052215230052 Dt.21-MAY-22) as per court interim directions and submitted a representation to the management requesting to waive surcharge as a special case considering the backdrop of COVID and cricket activities at stadia and oblige.

In this regard the DISCOM said that the request for waive of surcharge for delay in payment cannot be considered as per the terms and conditions of HT tariff supply clause No.1.2.1 of tariff orders approved by the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) and as per Regulation No.5 of 2004 in clause No 4.4, in case the consumers do not pay the bills by the due date mentioned in the bills, additional charges for delayed payment of bills shall apply as per tariff orders issued from time to time. Hence it is requested to pay the Surcharge amount Rs. 1,63,94,521 within (15) from the date of receipt of this notice otherwise the service will be liable for disconnection with out further notice.