{
  "id": 9374375,
  "title": "BEST Extends Abhay Scheme-2026 Cut-Off To August 31, 2023; Upto 19,000 Consumers To Benefit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/best-extends-abhay-scheme-2026-cut-off-to-august-31-2023-upto-19-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T16:04:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/best-extends-abhay-scheme-2026-cut-off-to-august-31-2023-upto-19000-consumers-to-benefit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, September 23, 2026 - The BEST committee has extended the cut-off date for its Abhay Scheme-2026, providing electricity consumers with outstanding dues up to August 31, 2023, eligibility for the program. The revised cut-off was approved during a recent meeting, replacing the previous March 31, 2022 deadline. This extension is anticipated to aid around 18,000-19,000 consumers and recover approximately Rs 43-45 crore in outstanding revenue.\n\nThe committee, chaired by Trishna Vishwasrao, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the scheme so more consumers can avail themselves of the benefits. BEST had originally aimed for a cut-off of March 31, 2022, but the decision was altered following committee discussions.\n\nWith the cut-off date extension, around 2,000 more consumers will become eligible, potentially adding Rs 3-4 crore in revenue to BEST's coffers. Sunil Ahir, a committee member, called for a pragmatic approach to recover the funds that have remained as outstanding dues. He suggested utilizing promotional vehicles and social media platforms to reach a wider audience.\n\nBEST has implemented similar Abhay schemes in 2009, 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2024 to streamline the recovery process for old electricity dues. The most cases were recorded in 2018, with 2,415 cases identified, and only Rs 4.99 crore in recovery. From 2018 to 2024, 3,902 cases led to Rs 10.62 crore in recovery.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, September 23, 2026: The BEST committee on Wednesday approved an extension of its Abhay Scheme-2026, bringing electricity consumers with dues pending up to August 31, 2023, under the scheme. Earlier, the scheme covered defaulters with dues up to March 31, 2022. The extension is expected to benefit around 18,000-19,000 consumers and help BEST recover an estimated Rs 43-45 crore in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}