BHIWANDI: In a major relief for at least 50,000 residents of Bhiwandi, especially power loom owners, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has announced a special amnesty scheme 2023 for customers whose electricity has been permanently disconnected due to arrears of electricity bills.Under this scheme, if 110 percent of the original principal outstanding amount is paid, the entire interest on it will be waived off.It will also make it easier for the customers with outstanding amount to get new electricity connections."Through this scheme, Bhiwandi residents will at least get pending interest of Rs 1,000 crore waived off on their outstanding principle money of approximately Rs 500 crore from around 50,000 consumers.".This scheme will initially be for one year from 11 November 2023 to 10 November 2024. In January 2007, MSEDCL appointed Torrent Power to distribute electricity in Bhiwandi. Since then, electricity supply to many customers has been permanently cut off due to arrears. As the amount of interest on the principal charges of such customers increased significantly, many customers could not pay the dues and could not get new electricity connections.To address the issues faced by these customers, several public representatives, including MLA Rais Shaikh and Bhiwandi Lok Sabha MP Kapil Patil, raised the issue with the state government. Shaikh mentioned that he had also raised the issue in the state assembly, during which Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured him to look into the matter.The MSEDCL has instructed Torrent Power Company to provide beneficiary customers with information about their principal amount and the accrued interest. Additionally, the Torrent Power Company has been directed to communicate with these customers.According to MSEDCL officials, interested beneficiaries should contact Torrent Powers office and formally acknowledge their willingness to take advantage of the scheme by providing written acknowledgment. Mahavitran appealed to customers, urging them to seize this opportunity and benefit from the scheme.The concession mentioned is already a part of the franchise agreement for Malegaon, Shil, Mumbra, and Kalwa Distribution. However, this exemption was not initially outlined in the distribution franchise agreement for Bhiwandi 16 years ago. As a result, the special amnesty scheme 2023 has been specifically designed for Bhiwandi to address this gap.Additionally, MSEDCL has appointed two separate nodal officers to handle consumer grievances in Bhiwandi.

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