Chandigarh, Sep 3 (IANS): Unable to recover electricity bills and arrears from power users in the state, government-run power utility companies in Haryana have piled up losses of Rs.29,362 crore, the assembly was told on Thursday.

Haryana Transport minister Krishan Lal Panwar, while answering on behalf of the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar who holds the power portfolio, said that power distribution companies in the state were bearing heavy losses due to non-payment of electricity bills by users and line losses.

Panwar told the assembly that the losses of power distribution companies, which amounted to Rs. 1,360 crore in 2005, increased to Rs.26,952 crore in 2013-14 and further to Rs.29,362 crore in 2014-15.

"Under a new scheme, 24-hour power would be supplied in areas where line losses were 20 percent on feeders and bills are paid to the extent of 90 percent. All conductors which are more than 50 years old, are being replaced and old meters are being replaced without any fine," he said.

"The Haryana Power Regulatory Commission had been advising the government from time to time to increase power tariff, but the previous (Congress) government did not do so and the losses of power distribution companies kept increasing," Panwar said.

"Power tariff was increased by 0.6 percent in 2001-02. After that, tariff rate was not increased from 2002-03 to 2009-10. It was increased by 11.87 percent in 2011-12, 13.33 percent in 2012-13, 11.48 percent in 2013-14 and 15 percent in 2014-15. The present government which increased the tariff by 8.51 percent is committed to providing 24-hour power supply to domestic, agricultural and commercial areas," he said.