Odisha Power Discoms Amass Over Rs 500 Crore in Penalties from Consumers
In a significant disclosure to the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who holds the energy portfolio, announced that power distribution companies in the state have collected more than Rs 500 crore in penalties from electricity consumers. This substantial sum has been accrued from various violations, including delayed bill payments, illegal hooking, bypassing, meter tampering, and other regulatory breaches.
Detailed Breakdown of Penalty Collections
The government compiled penalty collection data from different periods for the four major distribution companies operating across Odisha. The figures reveal a detailed financial impact on consumers, with data for TPCODL and TPWODL provided from the 2023-24 financial year onwards, while information for TPNODL and TPSODL dates back to 2021.
Regional Discom Penalty Collections
TPCODL (Central Odisha): This discom collected a total of Rs 167.7 crore in penalties from 2023-24 to January 2026. The breakdown includes Rs 52.7 crore in 2023-24, Rs 60.18 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 54.82 crore in 2025-26 up to January 2026.
TPNODL (Northern Odisha): Operating in northern regions, TPNODL amassed Rs 155.6 crore between April 1, 2021, and January 31, 2026. Of this total, domestic consumers contributed the largest share at Rs 123.9 crore, followed by commercial consumers at Rs 25.4 crore, agriculture consumers at Rs 3.9 crore, and industrial consumers at Rs 2.5 crore.
TPWODL (Western Odisha): Serving western areas, TPWODL collected Rs 106.95 crore in penalties from 2023-24 to January 2026. The annual figures show Rs 36.2 crore in 2023-24, Rs 39.76 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 31 crore in 2025-26 up to January 2026.
TPSODL (Southern Odisha): This discom, covering southern Odisha, gathered Rs 104.28 crore between January 31, 2021, and January 31, 2026. According to the assembly reply, domestic consumers accounted for Rs 70.91 crore of this amount.
Regulatory Framework and Financial Handling
Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo emphasized that the distribution companies levy delayed payment surcharges and other penalties strictly in accordance with the existing regulatory framework. He stated, "Discoms strictly function as per the provisions of the existing regulatory framework. The delayed payment surcharge and other penalties are collected by the discoms as per the provisions made in the existing Supply Code 2019 and applicable Tariff Orders."
He further clarified that all amounts collected under these penalty heads are deposited directly into the accounts of the respective distribution companies, ensuring transparency and adherence to financial regulations.
