Srinagar, Oct 29 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that more than 2.8 lakh domestic power consumers across the Union Territory have benefited from the first electricity Amnesty Scheme, which offered a waiver on interest and surcharge accumulated up to March 31, 2022.

Responding to a question raised by legislator Tariq Hameed Karra, the Power Development Department (PDD) informed that the scheme had brought considerable financial relief to households, though there is currently no proposal to extend a similar amnesty to industrial consumers for clearing their electricity dues.

According to official figures, 1,64,729 consumers under the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and 1,17,237 consumers under the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) availed the benefits during the first phase. The department realized a total revenue of ?Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel322 crore, including ?164 crore from JPDCL and ?158 crore from KPDCL.

Providing an update on the ongoing second phase of the Amnesty Scheme, launched on August 4, 2025, and open until March 31, 2026, officials said that 18,854 consumers have so far registered under the initiative — including 547 in Jammu and 18,307 in Kashmir.

The department clarified that the relief applies only to the interest and surcharge portions of the pending bills, while the principal amount remains payable by the consumers.

Officials also underlined that amnesty and power disconnections are handled separately. Disconnections occur only in cases of substantial arrears, and power supply is restored immediately after consumers make partial payments. “Any remaining dues are adjusted in subsequent billing cycles,” the department noted.(KNS)