Government departments in Rewa's eastern division have accumulated electricity bill arrears of around ₹27 crore, prompting the Madhya Pradesh Eastern Region Power Distribution Company to issue notices and warn of disconnection if the outstanding amount is not cleared.

The largest share of the unpaid bills is linked to gram panchayats, particularly electricity consumption for tap-water supply schemes and panchayat buildings. The power distribution company has asked the concerned departments to settle their dues within the stipulated period.

The warning comes as the utility continues its drive to recover outstanding electricity dues from consumers across the division.

Panchayats Account for ₹20 Crore

According to the available figures, electricity dues associated with gram panchayats amount to approximately ₹20 crore. These arrears largely relate to rural drinking-water supply schemes and panchayat office buildings.

Other government departments also have pending bills. The Women and Child Development Department reportedly owes around ₹2 crore, while outstanding dues from the Water Resources Department exceed ₹50 lakh.

The Health Department has arrears of around ₹50 lakh, while municipalities together have pending electricity bills of approximately ₹20 lakh.

The remaining amount comprises dues from other government offices and institutions.

Bills Pending at Several Centres

The outstanding government electricity bills are spread across several distribution centres in the Rewa division, including Govindgarh, Manikwar, Mangawan, Gudh, Badaraw and Raipur.

Officials said departments have repeatedly been informed about their outstanding payments. Despite reminders, a significant portion of the dues remains unpaid.

The electricity company has now warned that failure to clear the arrears could result in electricity connections being disconnected.

Notices Sent to Department Heads

Executive Engineer Sushil Yadav said notices have been issued to the heads of the concerned government departments.

The notices reportedly make it clear that if the outstanding bills are not paid within the prescribed period, the power utility will initiate disconnection proceedings. Responsibility for the consequences would rest with the concerned department.

Yadav said the company is conducting a continuing disconnection campaign against consumers with unpaid electricity bills under directions from senior officials.

Junior engineers and assistant engineers are also involved in the recovery and enforcement exercise.

Government Connections Also Under Action

The power distribution company has maintained that government institutions will not be exempt from action if they fail to clear their dues.

Officials said electricity connections belonging to government departments could also be disconnected if payments remain pending despite the notices.

The development has drawn attention because electricity companies generally take recovery measures, including disconnection, against ordinary consumers who accumulate substantial unpaid bills. The sizeable arrears pending from government departments have therefore raised questions about the pace of recovery from public institutions.

Utility Awaits Payment

The immediate focus is now on whether the departments concerned will clear their outstanding bills following the notices.

With government offices, panchayats and public facilities accounting for a substantial portion of the arrears, the electricity company faces the task of recovering the pending ₹27 crore while ensuring that essential public services are not disrupted unnecessarily.

The outcome of the notice period will determine whether departments settle their dues or whether the distribution company proceeds with electricity disconnections.

A 38-year-old man from Kushha village tragically went missing in the Behar river on Thursday afternoon after he jumped in to rescue a drowning friend. The friend was pulled out safely, but Anupam Mishra himself was swept into deeper waters and has not been traced so far.

Brave Attempt Turns Tragic

According to initial reports, Anupam Mishra, son of Lokeshwar Mishra, had gone to the river along with three friends for a bath. The group was in the waters when one of them suddenly struggled in a deep section and began to drown. Without hesitation, Anupam rushed to help. He managed to bring his companion to safety, but in the process lost his own footing and disappeared into the strong currents.

Local residents who reached the spot soon after described the scene as chaotic. Villagers rushed to the riverbank in large numbers as news of the incident spread. Family members of Anupam were seen inconsolable, with women crying and relatives pleading for urgent help.

Search Operation Underway

Sagra police station officials, along with district administration teams and local divers, reached the spot promptly. A coordinated search operation is currently in progress using divers and other resources to scan the deeper parts of the river. As of the latest update, no trace of the missing man had been found.

Officials said the team is focusing on the area where the incident occurred, but the river’s currents and depth are making the task challenging. Police have appealed to people in the vicinity for any information that could assist the rescue efforts.

Background of the Incident

The Behar river, which flows through parts of Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh, often sees visitors during summers and early monsoon days. However, with rains already setting in, water levels and hidden depths have increased risks significantly. Many locals use the river for daily bathing and recreation, sometimes underestimating the dangers in certain stretches.

Anupam’s friends reportedly tried to alert others immediately after he went under. The swift response from the village helped mobilise help, but the strong undercurrents had already carried him away.

Family in Shock, Village Mourns

Residents of Kushha village are in mourning. Anupam was known among his circle as someone always ready to help others. His act of bravery has left the entire community saddened. Family members are camping near the riverbank, waiting anxiously for any positive news from the search teams.

District administration has deployed additional personnel to manage the crowd and ensure the search continues without interruption. Senior officials are also monitoring the situation closely.

Administration Issues Safety Appeal

In the wake of the incident, the Rewa district administration has issued a strong appeal to citizens, particularly urging them to avoid bathing or venturing into rivers and streams during the monsoon season. Authorities highlighted that water bodies can become treacherous quickly due to sudden increases in depth and flow.

“People should exercise extreme caution and preferably stay away from deep sections,” an official statement noted. Similar incidents have been reported in the past in the region, underlining the need for greater public awareness.

The search for Anupam Mishra was still continuing late into the evening. Officials said efforts would go on through the night if required, with more divers possibly being called in.

This unfortunate event has once again brought into focus the risks associated with water bodies in rural areas, especially during changing weather patterns. Families in nearby villages are now being advised to remain vigilant.