Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil on Thursday promised the Legislative Council of evolving a solution to the rising power bills in the gram panchayats (GPs).

“The gram panchayats receive Rs eight lakh towards their utility bills and salaries for their personnel. The current outstanding power bill of the 5,268 GPs in the State stands at Rs 2,684 crore. Our efforts will be to minimise the burden on the GPs with the assistance from the Centre,” he said.

Patil further stated that the government will look at efforts by earlier governments in waiving the outstanding power bill that amounted to Rs 1,400 crore. The issue is expected to come up for discussion in the next Cabinet meeting.