Pune: A significant number of long-pending cases concerning overdue electricity bills from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have been resolved in a recent National Lok Adalat held in Pune.
A total of 676 cases, with dues amounting to ₹2.16 crore, were settled during the Lok Adalat. Among these, six cases related to electricity theft were also resolved, marking a successful outcome for the utility company.
The National Lok Adalat, organized by the District Legal Services Authority, offered a platform to address cases of overdue payments, many of which had been pending litigation. MSEDCL, a key participant in the event, saw cases from its Pune division brought to the Lok Adalat for settlement.
The Pune division saw 670 cases, amounting to ₹1.60 crore in overdue electricity bills, resolved through settlements.
The Ganeshkhind division accounted for the highest number of cases, with 323 cases worth ₹73.7 lakh being settled. The Rastapeth division followed with 266 cases totaling ₹50.95 lakh, and Pune Rural resolved 81 cases worth ₹57.53 lakh.
In addition to these settlements, six cases of electricity theft under Section 135 of the Electricity Act were also resolved.
Consumers involved in these cases made payments totaling ₹30.73 lakh for electricity theft charges, along with ₹3.92 lakh in settlement fees. This brought the total recovered amount to ₹34.65 lakh.
The success of MSEDCL's participation in the Lok Adalat was recognized by the District Legal Services Authority. Chief Engineer Rajendra Pawar was awarded a certificate of appreciation by District Legal Services Authority President Mahendra Mahajan, in recognition of the company’s active role in resolving the cases efficiently.
The Lok Adalat was also attended by MSEDCL’s Superintendent Engineers Yuvraj Jarg and Sinhaji Rao Gaikwad. Senior Manager (Finance) Rahul Pawar, Legal Officers Dinkar Tidke, Neetal Hase, and Ganesh Satpute were among the many MSEDCL employees who played a key role in ensuring the successful resolution of the cases.