Dhaka: The total electricity bill arrears as of October 2018 stood at Tk 6882.95 crore, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told parliament on Monday.

Of the arrears, electricity bills amounting to Tk 642.98 crore remain unpaid by various ministries and government agencies, he said placing the statistics in reply to a starred question from M Nazrul Islam Babu (Narayanganj-2, reports the UNB).

The arrears by semi-government/non-government institutions are Tk 763.90 crore while private sector’s electricity bill arrears Tk 5476.06 crore, said the State Minister.

He said a number of steps have been taken, including severing electricity connections and conducting drives through formation of taskforces, to realise the arrears.