Govt urged to clear power subsidy, bill arrears

 Vijayawada: The Vidyuth Viniyogadarula Aikya Vedika (Electricity Consumers’ United Forum) has urged the State government to immediately clear pending power subsidy dues and electricity bill arrears owed to the electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), warning that delays are pushing the utilities into financial distress.

Addressing the media in Vijayawada on Tuesday, Vedika Convener MV Anjanyulu, accompanied by leader Vuyyuru Sambi Reddy, recalled that the State government had assured the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) in March 2023 that subsidies for 2023–24 would be released, following which tariffs were approved.

However, subsidy arrears stood at Rs 11,476.52 crore by March 2024, rising to Rs 12,921.93 crore by March 2025. As of September 2025, arrears were Rs 12,718.68 crore and are expected to increase further by March 2026.

Anjaneyulu also highlighted electricity bill arrears mounted to Rs 15,137.53 crore as of March 31, 2025. Of this, State government departments owed Rs 4,861.76 crore (32.12%), local bodies Rs 3,305.50 crore (21.84%), private companies Rs 6,288.37 crore (41.54%), with the rest from other categories. Government departments and local bodies together accounted for 53.96% of the total arrears.

While welcoming the government’s announcement to bear Rs 4,497.89 crore related to the fourth control period, the forum urged the State to clear all subsidy and departmental dues by March 2026 and ensure strict recovery from private companies.

Anjaneyulu stressed that timely clearance of dues is crucial for the financialhealth of DISCOMs and to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to all consumers.