10 People Arrested in Cash-for-Job Scam in Assam Power Distribution Company

GUWAHATI: 10 people in connection to the cash-for-job scam in Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) have been arrested by Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell after an operation was carried out in the city.

According to sources, an officer on special duty (OSD) identified as Dipankar Dhingiya has also been arrested in the operation. He was posted in APDCL in 2006.

Further CM Special Vigilance Team has held three persons from the Jalukbari area, four from the Basistha area, one from the Chandmari area, two from the Dispur area.

According to reports, the operation is continuing in the Lankeshwar area of the city.

Meanwhile, APDCL is still running under loss. Talking to The Sentinel, a top APDCL official said, "At the beginning of August this year, we had arrears dues of Rs 2,352 crore. Now we have reduced it to Rs 2,086 crore after the recovery of Rs 267 crore. We have taken measures, including fines for late payment of power bills.

"Even now, only around 60 per cent of the total consumers are paying power bills regularly. Unless 90-100 per cent of consumers pay power bills regularly, outstanding arrears dues will continue to stay. However, that will take time.

"Power theft is one of the main reasons behind the power sector in the state making loss. However, we have taken drastic measures against this menace. We have conducted 4,103 drives against power theft in the past 100 days. These drives have led to the filing of 971 complaints and the collection of Rs 3.29-crore revenue.

The official further said that APDCL needed Rs 6,825 crore annually – Rs 6,000 crore for purchasing power from the public sector and around Rs 700 crore for employees salaries.

"The daily power demand in the state is 1,948 MW against the APDCL's daily generation of 313 MW," the official added.

Also read: Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) Gears up to Recover Power Bills

Also watch: