AMARAVATI: The Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) is struggling to convince consumers to pay their bills online. The Discom’s collections have almost dipped to nil due to the lockdown.

CPDCL authorities are worried that keeping operations running would get extremely difficult if people don’t pay their bills.

Meanwhile industries and commercial establishments have been seeking deferment of payment schedules and domestic consumers are hoping for some relief from the government.

However, speaking to TOI, J Padma Janardhan Reddy, CMD of CPDCL said, “We are already walking on a tightrope. It is difficult to grant any concessions or relief at this juncture.”

Sources say that the state government too is worried about the trend as CPDCL constitutes the biggest commercial zones in Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. The discom has been recently making nearly Rs450 crore from the three districts.

CPDCL’s revenue in January and February was good and the discom made nearly 100 per cent progress in collection of bills from consumers, particularly from HT (industrial segment), commercial and domestic. While the HT segment contributed nearly 25% of total revenue, commercial establishments make for nearly 35% of the payment load. Payments of domestic consumers constitute nearly 40%.

Discom officials say that while all commercial and industrial activity grinded to a halt on March 22 due to the lockdown, consumption had gone on till March 21— which make for nearly 80% of bills for March.

“All industrial and commercial establishments were in operation till March 21. We are requesting them to clear the March dues as they consumed power for three weeks and because their billing begins from the first of every month,” Janardhan Reddy said.

The CPDCL CMD further said, “It is not possible to postpone or waive bills as even we are struggling to manage our coffers.”

He appealed to consumers to use the mobile application and clear bills as soon as possible so as to avoid penalties.

There is no chance of power bills being postponed or waived off. People should immediately download the mobile app or reach our EROs to the pay the bill and avoid penalties