Dues payable by state power distribution companies (discoms) witnessed a year-on-year fall in November 2021, according to statistics released in the government portal PRAAPTI.
According to statistics, the total amount due by discoms was Rs.1,13,031 crore as of November 30, 2021. This was 2.7 per cent lower than the comparable Rs.1,16,240 crore, as of the same date in 2020.
The fall in total dues was the result of higher payments made by discoms; this was despite a 2 per cent growth in amount billed. Total payment by discoms during November 2021 was Rs.20,033 crore, around 12 per cent higher than the corresponding Rs.17,828 crore in November 2020. Of the total payment made by discoms in November 2021, nearly 78 per cent was towards clearing overdue amounts.
An “overdue” amount is one that has crossed its due date by 45-60 days, and remains partially or fully unpaid. “Current dues” are those that are partially or fully unpaid but are still within 60 days of the due date.
The total outstanding amount by discoms, as of November 30, 2021, had 86.5 per cent of overdue amount while the remaining 13.5 per cent were current dues.
Of the overdue amount of Rs.97,770 crore, as of November 30, 2021, around 52 per cent was towards independent power producers (private generators), while nearly 21 per cent was towards renewable energy generators. Central PSU generators accounted for nearly a fourth of this total overdue amount. Transmission companies had a share of nearly 3 per cent.
Also read: Power Ministry Launches “PRAAPTI” For Power Purchase Transactions
Falling “current dues”
There has been a consistent decline in current dues of discoms in recent months. Such dues fell month over month from Rs.20,403 crore as of end-August 2021, to Rs.19,394 crore in September and further to Rs.18,379 crore. As of November 30, 2021, current dues had fallen to Rs.15,261 crore – their lowest month-end level in any month in FY22 so far.
