The Jal Shakti Vibhag has emerged as the largest defaulter of electricity bills in Himachal Pradesh, accounting for over 90% of pending government power dues, according to an official reply presented in the Assembly.
As of 28 February 2026, total outstanding electricity dues from all government departments, boards, and institutions stood at Rs 495.76 crore. Of this, the Jal Shakti Vibhag alone owes Rs 455.91 crore, reflecting its extensive electricity use for operating water supply and pumping systems across the state.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare is the second-largest defaulter with Rs 8.68 crore pending, followed by Municipal Corporations and Nagar Panchayats (MCs/NACs) at Rs 7.55 crore, the Education Department at Rs 3.08 crore, and the Revenue Department at Rs 1.43 crore.
Officials noted that recovery measures are underway, including notices, enforcement actions, and temporary disconnections in some cases. The government is also transitioning departments to prepaid electricity meters to prevent future arrears.
The growing power dues highlight concerns about financial discipline in government departments and pose a challenge to the fiscal stability of the state power utility, HPSEBL.
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