Power Cut Hits Panchayat Offices in Odisha Over Unpaid Bills

The electricity provider in Odisha cut power to a number of panchayat offices on Tuesday after the local bodies failed to clear their pending electricity bills. The disconnection affected office buildings across several blocks, leaving staff without lighting, fans and computer systems.
Officials from the state electricity board said the arrears had accumulated over several months and that repeated notices had been sent to the panchayat administrations. When the dues remained unpaid, the board invoked its standard procedure to suspend supply until the amounts were settled.
The outage has disrupted routine administrative work, including the processing of land records, issuance of certificates and the operation of grievance redressal desks. Panchayat secretaries have appealed to the district collector for an urgent meeting with the electricity board to negotiate a payment plan and restore power.
Local residents reported that the power cut also affected nearby schools and health sub‑centres that share the same supply line, prompting concerns about service continuity in the affected villages.
The board has indicated that power will be reinstated once the outstanding bills are cleared, and it is urging all local bodies to settle their accounts promptly to avoid further interruptions.