AI SummaryOne Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme helps defaulting electricity consumers clear their pending dues by waiving off late payment charges. This scheme allowed eligible users with arrears up to ₹20,000 as of 31-03-2008 to pay only the principal amount in a simple, one-time lump sum payment.
Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.
One Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme - Introduction
One Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme was a Goa government scheme to help electricity consumers clear their outstanding bills. Consumers with pending dues up to ₹20,000 as of 31-03-2008 could benefit by clearing only the principal amount. In return, they received a full waiver on delayed payment charges, which included 18% interest.
This scheme covered many consumer groups, including Domestic, Agriculture, Small Commercial, LIG, and LTP categories, especially where the power supply was disconnected. Whether the case was pending with local authorities or had reached the Revenue Recovery Court, the scheme offered a fresh start to settle dues. The local Sub-Divisional Officers managed the process.
Key Information
| Key Label | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | One Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary States | Goa |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Category | Utility & Sanitation |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Open Date | 2009-01-15 |
| Close Date | 2009-04-15 |
The Goa Electricity Department has run similar one time settlement offers in later years as well. A fresh One Time Settlement Scheme was introduced in 2020 for defaulting consumers, and another was launched in December 2022 to recover around ₹450 crore from close to 1.8 lakh consumers. As per the department, these offers waive the delayed payment charges while the principal amount has to be paid.
Benefits
Consumers who joined the scheme received several financial advantages to resolve their electricity bill issues:
- Complete waiver on all delayed payment charges, including the 18% interest applied to the account.
- Clear dues by paying only the original principal amount in one lump-sum payment.
- Adjustment of the ₹100 application fee directly against the total energy bill.
*Note: If a consumer backed out or missed the payment deadline, the ₹100 application fee was forfeited.
Eligibility
Consumers could apply for One Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme if they met these conditions:
- Belonged to categories such as Domestic, Agriculture, LIG, Small Commercial, or LTP (Motive Power).
- Total accumulated arrears did not exceed ₹20,000 as of 31-03-2008.
- Electrical installation was either temporarily or permanently disconnected due to non-payment.
- Case was registered with the Revenue Recovery Court (R.R.C.).
Application Process
Offline Application Steps
Applying for One Time Settlement (O.T.S.) Scheme was straightforward:
STEP 1 - Prepare the application and visit the nearest Sub-Divisional Officer of the Electricity Department. Submit it along with a Demand Draft or Pay Order of ₹100 made in favour of the Chief Electrical Engineer.
STEP 2 - Once the application was processed, the Sub-Divisional Officer informed the consumer of the final settlement amount. This amount had to be cleared in one lump sum within one month to settle the account.
*If the case was in the Revenue Recovery Court, the Assistant Engineer coordinated with the Mamlatdar to withdraw the case once the full amount was paid.
Billing Dispute Redressal
If the details regarding energy charges and delayed payment charges were unclear, the Billing Dispute Redressal Committee reviewed the case to reach a fair settlement.
Documents
To apply, a consumer simply needed to provide a Demand Draft (D.D.) or Pay Order for ₹100. It had to be drawn in favour of the Chief Electrical Engineer and payable at a local accredited bank.
References
More details can be found in the official One Time Settlement Scheme 2020 guidelines and on the official website of the Electricity Department, Government of Goa.
FAQ's
What is the maximum arrear amount eligible for this scheme?
A consumer was eligible if the total arrears were up to ₹20,000 as of 31-03-2008.
Can I apply if my power supply is disconnected?
Yes, the scheme was open to consumers whose installations were either temporarily or permanently disconnected as of 31-03-2008.
Which consumer categories are included?
Eligible categories included LIG, Domestic, Agriculture, Small Commercial, and LTP (Motive Power).
Am I eligible if my case is in the Revenue Recovery Court?
Yes, if the case was with the Revenue Recovery Court, the consumer could apply for this settlement.
What charges are waived under this scheme?
Consumers received a waiver on all delayed payment charges, including any 18% interest accrued.
Is the ₹100 application fee refundable?
No, the ₹100 was a processing fee. It was adjusted against the bill if the payment was completed, but it was forfeited if the consumer backed out or missed the deadline.
How long do I have to pay the final amount?
The finalized settlement amount had to be cleared within one month from the date the Sub-Divisional Officer communicated it.
What happens to court cases after I pay?
Once the full settled amount was paid, the Assistant Engineer requested the Mamlatdar to withdraw the case from the court.
What if my bill break-up is not available?
If the bill details were missing, the Billing Dispute Redressal Committee helped reach an amicable settlement.