Chandigarh, Aug 25 (IANS): The Haryana government on Tuesday made it compulsory for candidates filing their nominations in the upcoming panchayat elections to obtain a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the state's power department.

"This move will help to expedite the recovery of outstanding electricity bills in rural areas. Currently, defaulters in rural areas in 10 districts owe the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) around Rs.1,200 crore," said a spokesman of the power department.

He said that Rohtak district tops the list with defaulters owing the department Rs.374 crore, followed by Kaithal district with an outstanding sum of Rs.269 crore and Jhajjar district with pending bills amounting to Rs.150 crore.

"UHBVN officials had prepared and updated the defaulter list. It would be ensured that the candidates and their family members have cleared their dues before NOC is issued. Candidates are required to submit copy of ration card with details of their family members so as to process the NOC," the spokesman added.

The Haryana government had earlier this month announced that educational qualification of matriculation (Class 10) was mandatory for general candidates wanting to contest panchayat elections to be held in the state soon.

The decision was stayed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court last week.