Unpaid dues: Power snapped to 140 schools

The Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL), the electricity distribution company in Greater Noida, has disconnected supply to 140 government primary schools for non-payment of dues.

The Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL), the electricity distribution company in Greater Noida, has disconnected supply to 140 government primary schools for non-payment of dues.

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In 2009, when Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati was the UP chief minister, these schools were given power connections and electric fans were installed.

Unlike last year, the education department has not released the grant to pay the power bills, despite requests.

Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Rajesh Kumar Srivas said, "We had sent a request to the education department to release the funds long time ago, but the authority has not acted on it."

"These schools in Greater Noida owe the discom Rs 8 lakh in dues. When the pending bills are cleared, the electricity supply will resume," Rajeev Goel, senior manager, NPCL, told HT on Wednesday.

And, it’s not only about these schools in Greater Noida. About 670 government schools in Gautam Budh Nagar district need to clear pending power bills worth Rs 29 lakh.