BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 12 -- n The Congress on Wednesday severely criticised the Cesu's decision for payment of electricity dues from common consumers, failing which their power connections would be snapped.

The party demanded that the Government first collect power dues of Rs 1,874 crore from 26 private companies. "While 26 companies have owed whopping Rs 1,874 crore, it is not understood why the Government is not collecting dues from them. The IMFA has owed 872.14 crore to the Government," said senior Congress leader Manoj Mohaptra at a Press meet here.

Mohapatra demanded that Government publish a whitepaper on the electricity dues pending on private companies in the State.

He said the Congress would take to the streets if the dues are coll...