Moreover, neither the state government nor WBSEB have so far opened any channel of communication with NTPC, but talks are expected soon. Meanwhile, the board has been asked to launch a massive collection drive to realise its dues totalling Rs 730 crore from CESC, central and state government undertakings and other states.

The state cabinet met here on Monday to review the situation. The government believes that peak-hour shortfall could be restricted to 200mw as all the power plants of the state under WBSEB, CESC and West Bengal Power Development Corporation are being put under operation. Peak-hour demand in the state is around 2900mw and generation capacityis around 2700mw. WBSEB's drawals from NTPC is around 450-500mw, while from DVC it draws around 230mw.

Addressing the media here on Monday, state power secretary Sukh Bilas Barma said that peak-time shortfall could be around 150-200mw. He said that according to NTPC, WBSEB's dues as on September 30, 1998, was Rs 537 crore, while WBSEB said that the due was Rs 480 crore. These amounts are exclusive of late payment surcharge. "There is a disputed amount of Rs 57 crore on account of deemed consumption etc," he added.

He said that WBSEB had sought financial support from the state finance ministry to repay the dues to NTPC, but the finance ministry was yet to decide on it.

Barma said WBSEB could not pay the NTPC dues as it also has substantial outstandings from a number of consumers. Dues from state government departments and undertakings amounts to Rs 46 crore and from local bodies Rs 31 crore.

However, its major unrecovered dues are from private sector CESC Ltd, an RPG company, amounting to Rs 430 croreplus late payment surcharge. Dues to be recovered from other states, including the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board and Assam State Electricity Board, amount to Rs 120 crore, while from the central government departments and undertakings it is Rs 63 crore and from large industries Rs 40 crore.

Barma said WBSEB had been asked to take immediate measures for realisation of these outstandings.

Asked whether the state government was putting any pressure on CESC, the largest defaulter, Barma said, "we did, but they said they had no money."

However, talks were on with CESC and they had promised to increase their payment after the new tariff rate became effective, he added. CESC's new tariff rates will be effective from October 19.

He also said the state government was considering a tariff hike for WBSEB consumers and a decision in that regard would be taken soon.

Asked why the state government did not ask WBSEB to cut power supply to CESC for non-payment of dues as NTPC did, Barma said that wouldhave been an extreme step and would have invited sufferings for the people.

He said that the state government had also requested its undertakings and local bodies to pay their dues to WBSEB.

Barma said power stations of state power utilities and CESC had already been fully geared up to meet the crisis and steps for maximum generation were being taken.

He said that even then there was a possibility of shortfall to the extent of 150 to 200mw a day, seven per cent of the total load demand of 2900mw in the system in the peak load period between 6pm to 8pm. Therefore, load-shedding cannot be avoided altogether. However, the state government is actively pursuing the matter.