The State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik has approved extension of payment date for outstanding power dues for businesses under Amnesty Scheme for one month from the date of issuance of notification in this regard.According to the SAC decision, the extension is, however, applicable with the modification that outstanding dues shall be paid in one instalment instead of three equal installments with reference to the Govt Order No: 273-FD of 2018 dated: 05-06-2018 for implementation of the Amnesty Scheme for industrialists, hoteliers, tourist resort owners, small scale industries and sick industries – waiving off interest, penalty and surcharge on power dues.The SAC also approved making Govt Order No: 267-FD of 2018 dated: 30-05-2018 (treating hotels and resorts at par with the industries in so far as power tariff is concerned) valid from 1-4-2018 upto 31-03-2019 (financial year 2018-19) only.It was also decided by SAC that the matter shall be referred to J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JKSERC) for seeking comments regarding future financial years (2019-20 and thereafter), before a final decision could be arrived at in this regard.
Pertinently, the Government vide Order No: 271 of 2018 dated: 05.06.2018 issued by Finance Department accorded sanction to waiver off 100% interest and penalty on all power arrears payable upto 31.12.2017 owed by the Industrialists, Hoteliers and Tourist Resort Owners provided that the payment is made by or before 30.09.2018 in a maximum of 3 equal installments.By virtue of another Govt Order No: 267-FD of 2018, dated: 30.05.2018 issued by Finance Department sanction was accorded by treating Hoteliers & resorts registered with J&K Tourism department at par with Industries, so far as power tariff is concerned.Due to poor response from the consumers the government felt it appropriate to extend the payment of outstanding dues for a period of one month from the date of issuance of notification in this behalf with the change that outstanding dues shall be paid in one installment instead of three equal installments as per Govt order No: 273-FD of 2018 dated: 05.06.2018 and also extended the validity of Govt order No: 267-FD of 2018 dated: 30.05.2018, treating Hoteliers & Resorts at par with Industries for payment of power tariff upto 31.03.2019.By giving the extension, the Government is providing consumers further time to avail the benefits of the Amnesty Scheme.