Lucknow, Dec. 6 -- Uttar Pradesh's power sector is burdened with an extraordinary Rs.55,980 crore in unpaid electricity dues locked against more than 1.45 crore consumers across small domestic and commercial categories. A large share of them have never paid their bills even once, despite drawing power for years.

An internal document discussed during a recent review meeting by energy minister AK Sharma discloses that the surcharge component alone has swollen to Rs.21,553 crore, almost two-thirds of the principal amount of Rs.33,427 crore, showing how habitual non-payment has steadily converted routine dues into an unmanageable stock of legacy arrears.

The Bijli Bill Rahat Yojana, or the one-time settlement scheme, launched by the UP Powe...