Uttarakhand Ministers Feature in Bageshwar Electricity Defaulters List, Prompting Equity Concerns
The electricity department in Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, has released a list of nearly 300 defaulters with mounting dues, and it includes the names of a serving cabinet minister and a late former minister. The disclosure has sparked debate over the fairness of recovery efforts, as one minister's dues were cleared shortly after the list became public.
Minister Rekha Arya's Hotel Dues Paid Post-Disclosure
Cabinet minister Rekha Arya, who oversees women and child development, food and civil supplies, and sports and youth welfare, was listed with Rs 2.98 lakh in pending electricity dues for Hotel Rudraksh Palace in Kausani. Officials stated these dues had been outstanding for nearly four years.
However, after being contacted by media, Arya's media in-charge clarified that the hotel was sold in 2022, and the pending bill was fully settled on Saturday. The executive engineer of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) in Bageshwar confirmed the payment was made on Saturday afternoon, following the list's release.
Late Former Minister's Family Unaware of Pending Bill
The list also named late former minister Chandan Ram Das, with Rs 2.85 lakh outstanding against his personal residence in Bageshwar. His wife, Parvati Das, who was elected MLA from the constituency after his death in 2023, expressed surprise at the pending amount.
"I was not aware that such a large electricity bill was pending. The department never considered it necessary to inform us. Earlier, whenever we were told about any dues, we paid the bill," she said, highlighting a potential communication gap.
Recovery Drive Intensifies Amid Mounting Dues
Officials explained that the list is part of an intensified drive to recover electricity dues running into crores across the district. Despite this, power supply to both the minister's hotel and the former minister's residence remains uninterrupted, raising questions about whether recovery norms are applied uniformly.
This contrast has drawn sharp criticism from local residents, who argue that enforcement appears harsher on ordinary consumers. For instance, Kala Devi, a daily wager, reported that her family's electricity was disconnected over pending dues of around Rs 14,000, despite having no major appliances.
"There are small children at home. We are forced to sleep in the dark at night. We requested the lineman to give us some time, but the electricity was cut," she lamented, underscoring the disparity in treatment.
Social Activist Highlights Inequity in Enforcement
Social activist Ramesh Krishak Pandey pointed out that the issue reflects deeper inequities. "Recovery in cases involving large defaulters often moves slowly, while poorer households face swift disconnections over far smaller amounts, eroding public trust," he added. He urged the government and electricity department to ensure rules are applied equally to all, regardless of status.
In response to these concerns, executive engineer Mohammad Afzaal stated that the department has already disconnected 132 electricity connections and will continue its recovery drive against all defaulters, irrespective of their position or influence.
Other Notable Defaulters on the List
Beyond political figures, the list identified several other significant defaulters:
- Almora Magnesite Ltd: A mining company listed as the largest defaulter, with approximately Rs 92 lakh pending.
- Government Institutions: The district hospital in Bageshwar owes close to Rs 16 lakh, indicating that public entities are also part of the dues issue.
The situation in Bageshwar highlights ongoing challenges in electricity debt recovery and calls for greater transparency and equity in enforcement practices to maintain public confidence in utility services.
