Utility debt accounts for 25% of all restructured bank loans in India
Reform is needed: Politically tough choice for states
Electricity Discoms need to re-invest in new lines & metering, improving billing and cutting rampant power theft.
Discoms need to run on commercial principle and rationalise price but it will be hard to force states to make people pay more, when it risks alienating important vote banks like farmers
Many consumer are willing to pay higher in return for round the clock supply.
Government seeks to fix utilities debt issue