DEEO Cachar writes to DI of Schools & all BEEOs to ensure payment of electricity bill by all employees

June 24: District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO), Cachar issued a letter on Thursday addressed to the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Cachar and all Block Elementary Education Officers (BEEOs) of the district to ensure that all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDO’s) should collect “No Dues Payable against Electricity Bill of APDCL” from all the employees under them prior to preparation of salary bill before 30 June, 2021. It was further mentioned that the APDCL system generated payment receipt of current electricity bill may be considered as proof of payment. She stated that the order was issued “as desired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam.”

The DEEO in her letter refers to a letter issued by Managing Director of APDCL on 13 June, 2021, on the basis of which she has issued the letter. On condition of anonymity, a retired teacher of a school in Silchar said, “The letter under reference of APDCL cited by the DEEO is not at all addressed to the DEEO. It has rather been addressed to- Additional Chief Secretary, All Departments, Govt of Assam; Principal Secretary, All Departments, Govt of Assam and Commissioner & Secretary, All Departments, Govt of Assam. As such, unless and until an official notification is issued by the Commissioner/ Secretary of Education Department, Govt of Assam, such orders cannot be issued at the local level on the basis of the letter of power distribution company.”

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the functioning of three power companies ― Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited (AEGCL) and Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL) in the state. CM Assam directed that in case of non-payment of electricity bill by the government employees, the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDO’s) should  deduct the amount from the employee’s salary through the concerned DDOs.

Issuing an order to this effect Managing Director of APDCL stated, “Reference is invited to Point 16 of directive from Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam at Dispur, Guwahati doted 06/06/2021. In pursuance to the same, the undersigned is directed to request you kindly to instruct all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDO) under your control to ensure collection of “No dues payable against Electricity bill of APPC1: certificate for all employees prior to processing of wages/ salary bills i.e., on or before 30/06/2021. APDCL system generated payment receipt of current electricity bill may be considered as proof of payment for this purpose.”