Electrical contractors who carry out different types of jobs for the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) in Jalpaiguri district have threatened to stop all emergency services during the upcoming festive season if they do not get their old dues immediately.

The Jalpaiguri district committee of Paschimbanga Rajya Electrical Contractors’ Association has written to WBSEDCL authorities, stating they might be forced to stop work if they stay unpaid before Durga Puja.

“In Jalpaiguri district alone, we electrical contractors are yet to receive around ₹20 crore from the WBSEDCL. The amount should be paid before the festive season, as we too have to clear our dues and pay salaries and bonuses to our staff.
If this money is not paid immediately, we may stop working for the state-run power company,” said Rintu Dutta, the district secretary of the association.

According to him, the total dues of the electrical contractors in north Bengal, barring Malda, are around ₹105 crore.

In Jalpaiguri, around 3,000 people work under these contractors.

“We carry out emergency repair and maintenance works, install transformers, provide connections during Durga Puja and other festivals, put up power cables, and carry out other jobs after natural disasters like flash floods. The WBSEDCL authorities should consider our situation that has reached a crisis point,” Dutta added.

A contractor based in Malbazar of Jalpaiguri admitted the cash crunch “is severe”.

WBSEDCL officials admitted that before and during Durga Puja, electrical contractors are engaged in many jobs. These include providing power connections at Puja pandals, making emergency repairs in case of a power cut, and regular maintenance to ensure festive days are free from powercuts.

“We have informed our seniors about the electrical contractors’ demand. We hope their dues are cleared before Puja,” said Sanjay Mondal, the regional manager of WBSEDCL in Jalpaiguri.