'Will reintroduce load shedding in Kerala'; KSEB warns government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEB on Thursday warned the government about reintroducing load shedding if the dues remain unpaid. The board also confirmed that they have now adopted all measures to avoid load shedding due to the ongoing exam season.

KSEB informed that if electricity is not purchased by paying in advance, load shedding would be the next option under consideration. As the rains subsided, the water in the dams was also depleted. With the cancellation of long-term contracts, electricity is currently scant and if needed to purchase from open source, the payment should be made in advance, and it requires crores. The board, currently crippled in an economic crisis is fighting penury.

Due to mounting electricity bill arrears and continuous losses, KSEB has defaulted on loans. KSEB is also on the RBI’s list of PSUs banned from taking loans. Even if KSEB is allowed a loan, they will have to pay huge interest.

All efforts made by KSEB to collect payment ended up being futile. Due to the financial crisis, the state government and public sector institutions are not paying the monthly bills. The water authority is top of the list. The chief minister recently called a meeting to resolve this but nothing productive happened. Drastic measures are not allowed as the supply of drinking water will be interrupted if electricity is cut off.

• Rs 60 crore required for Green Corridor has not been transferred for the past four months.

• Rs 40 crore of NABARD has not been paid even after seven months.

• Dues of government institutions - 1768.80 crores.

• Water authority owes Rs 1617 crore to KSEB

• 89.81 crore domestic consumers

• Private institutions 1086.15 crores