BEST Extends Abhay Scheme Cut-Off To August 31, 2023; 19,000 Consumers To Benefit

The BEST committee approved an extension of its Abhay Scheme-2026 on Wednesday, bringing electricity consumers with pending dues up to August 31, 2023, under the scheme. Previously, the scheme covered only those with defaults up to March 31, 2022. The extension is expected to benefit approximately 18,000-19,000 consumers and help BEST recover an estimated ₹43-45 crore in outstanding revenue.

The Abhay scheme, introduced in 2009, targets recovery of electricity dues from consumers whose connections were permanently disconnected. Around 16,900 consumers currently have outstanding dues of nearly ₹39 crore, of which only ₹10.62 crore has been recovered. With the extended cut-off date, BEST expects to reach an additional 2,000 eligible consumers, potentially generating ₹3-4 crore more in revenue.

Committee members stressed the need for wider publicity and awareness campaigns across Mumbai's 10 Assembly constituencies to help consumers clear pending bills under the scheme.