With an aim to streamline electricity dues recovery and enhance maintenance services, the State government today launched the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme 2025.
The scheme is set to benefit about 45,000 consumers, allowing them to settle their outstanding bills, which total Rs 119 crore, by providing waivers on Delay Payment Surcharge (DPC). This initiative is expected to offer significant financial relief to consumers while also helping DISCOMs collect their dues.
The initiative, introduced by the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) under the Meghalaya Power Distribution Sector Improvement Project, aims to provide relief to Domestic Low-Tension (DLT) and Kutir Jyoti/BPL consumers with a declared load of 5 KW and below.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal attended the launch programme at the MeECL headquarters here.
Sangma said that the OTS highlighted the key benefits of the scheme which included a 100 per cent waiver on DPC calculated up to the latest bill as of the date of availing the scheme.
Consumers can opt for either a one-time payment or interest-free instalments spread over six months. The first instalment will constitute 40 per cent of the outstanding balance, with the remaining 60 per cent divided into five equal instalments. However, failure to adhere to the instalment plan will result in the reactivation of the DPC along with the remaining balance, which will be added to the current bill.
To avail of the scheme, consumers are required to submit an application to the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the concerned Distribution Sub-Division.
It may be noted that the OTS Scheme 2025 does not apply to surcharges or penalties related to electricity theft, meter tampering, or other malpractices. Consumers already under existing settlement agreements or those with cases pending in court, regulatory commissions, or other authorities are not eligible for this scheme.
During the programme, the chief minister distributed waiver certificate to five beneficiaries from the OTS scheme. Moreover, he informed that there will be no regulated load shedding this year as well.
Six state-of-the-art maintenance vehicles procured at Rs 1.48 crore were also flagged off during the programme. Sangma informed that these vehicles are equipped with aerial lift insulated buckets, designed to safely and efficiently access power lines at various heights and locations. These vehicles will speed up maintenance services and reduce the outage period of electricity.
Chairman cum Managing Director, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited Sanjay Goyal and other officials of the power department were also present on the occasion.
