While it still has not been able to recover its dues, MSEB has guaranteed full payment for purchase of electricity to DPC and Ispat Industries for their 2184-mw and 1082-mw power projects.

In spite of its decision to recover dues quickly last year, the accumulated arrears as of March 1998 are higher than the levels of 1996-97. The World Bank also terminated its long-term loan facility to MSEB following the latter's inability to boost its collection of outstandings.

Though the board recovered some money during 1997-98, there were fresh arrears which only swelled the total figure. Sources fear that it will never be able to recover dues from sectors such as agriculture and sick industries.

MSEB has to recover over Rs 780crore (above 31 per cent) from consumers belonging to the industrial (low tension and high tension), commercial and residential categories.

Dues from the agriculture sector account for over 26 per cent to Rs 640 crore. While MSEB has to recover around Rs 300 crore from various municipal corporations for electricity consumption for street lights and water supply, Rs 65 crore are due from interstate bodies.

Over Rs 450 crore are pending with sick companies, money locked in legal disputes and the National Textile Corporation. There are other consumers who together owe over 300 crore to MSEB.

The board has launched a fresh drive to collect these dues, sources said. "MSEB has recently formed several groups comprising higher officials to inspect revenue collection in various zones. These groups will also look into the assessment of the bills," they added.

Besides, the board has also tightened vigilance with some cases of theft/pilferage have been discovered. Some of these have become legal issues. MSEB notonly needs to recover these arrears but regularise collection on an urgent basis. This is important as the board must pay for purchase of power to independent power producers (IPP) who are setting up projects in the state.