14 May 2004	Friday	23 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

MUZAFFARABAD, May 13: Different government and semi-government departments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir owe more than Rs855 million to the AJK electricity department as outstanding power dues, Dawn has learnt.

According to an official statement of arrears, accumulated till the end of March, maximum arrears are outstanding against the rehabilitation department to the tune of Rs231.4 million. Municipal corporations and committees owe Rs189.6 million of which Rs3.1 million have piled up due to streetlight bills in different towns.

The public works department also owes Rs153.4 million of which Rs133 million are outstanding against its public health wing alone. Arrears of the health department stand at Rs68 million whereas the dues of the Combined Military Hospital, Muzaffarabad, stand at Rs12.98 million. The AJK police owe Rs37.8 million.

Interestingly, the electricity department offices themselves owe Rs10.5 million to their revenue wing. Different army installations in AJK owe Rs21.8 million. Arrears of the education department, which includes educational institutions, stand to the tune of Rs29 million. Among other departments and forest department owes Rs9.72 million.