Bhubaneswar, Jan 14: The Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) has decided to conduct its disconnection drive in phased manner and it will target defaulting commercial and high value customers only.

Earlier the utility has announced disconnection drive across the state from January 16.

In a press release today CESU has said that the disconnection drive will commence on January 16 as planned earlier but now it will be conducted in phased manner. In the first phase the disconnection squads of CESU will target only the defaulter commercial establishments.

CESU has said that in the 1^st phase of disconnection drive, CESU would touch only commercial consumers for collection of arrear dues.

“The 2^nd phase of disconnection drive will focus on affluent and high value domestic consumers keeping huge outstanding arrears. It will include high load domestic consumers having multi storied house, air conditioners, four wheeler etc. Those who pay income tax but not clearing their electricity dues will also be included in the list. In the 3^rd phase of disconnection drive, all other consumers will be covered. It will specially focus on the consumers who have not paid electricity dues for years together.

The Utility has requested all its customers to pay their pending bills. “CESU has huge deficits and pending bills to be paid to GIRDCO for the electricity it purchases. We also seek support from all stakeholders for the drive,” said an official.