Power cut at school, guest house due to unpaid bills in Udupi

Udupi: Mescom has disconnected the electricity supply at the Udupi govt guest house and a govt school in Thenkanidiyur due to overdue bills. Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna has raised the issue with the chief minister, seeking immediate restoration of power and highlighting the state's financial inability to pay its bills.
The MLA wrote on X: "Respected @siddaramaiah, due to the outstanding electricity bill of the Udupi guest house, Mescom officials have disconnected the power supply.On Saturday, the Mescom department was also set to cut the electricity of the Padubidri gram panchayat office and the Tenkanidiyur govt school. The govt treasury doesn't have enough funds to pay the electricity bills of govt offices. This is a clear indication of the financial bankruptcy of the state govt."
When contacted, the MLA told TOI that electricity bills to the tune of nearly Rs 3 lakh about the Inspection Bungalow (IB) of the PWD were not paid. "Since the bills of more than four months were not paid, Mescom has disconnected the power supply. The govt has not shown concern since people's representatives are not allowed to use the govt IB when the model code of conduct is in force. However, officials on election duty will have to use the facility for official purposes. Hence, the govt needs to pay the bills immediately," he said.
To a query on why the bills were not paid, Suvarna said that the department has no funds.
On the school in Thenkanidiyur, the MLA said that bills amounting to Rs 2 lakh are pending. "Since there is no income in govt schools, they have to wait for grants from the govt. I have brought the issue to the notice of the deputy commissioner of Udupi on Saturday. Further, I have asked the district administration to look into the issue and prevent any such lacunae in future," he said, adding that the DC has agreed to look into the matter.