No salary for state govt employees if electricity bill not paid, APDCL issues letter

June 19: 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.

According to a letter issued by the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) in this regard, it was stated that the all employees must be certified by their respective DDO’s as “No dues pending” of their current electricity bill. If the electricity bill is not paid by the state government employees, then the salary of the erring staff shall not be prepared by the DDO. As a matter of proof, the employees should submit system generated payment receipt of latest electricity bill to their DDO’s. Only on receiving the proof, the employer should issue “No dues certificate & process their salary bill.

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.”