The South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited on Saturday snapped the power connection of Patna College because of non-payment of bills.

The oldest higher education institution in the state owes the distribution firm Rs 50 lakh in dues.

The college had limited income from its sources and was not getting grants from the state government, said sources in the administration.

College principal S.M. Ashok said: "With the state government introducing free education for SC/ST students and girls, there has been a drop in college revenue generated from tuition and hostel fees."

Around 1,700 students study at Patna College but the tuition fee is not collected from all students owing to government rules, sources said .

The Jitan Ram Manjhi government in February 2015 announced free education for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and girls till postgraduation-level in the state.

The government decided to provide free education to students belonging to these sections of society to increase their education levels. As per government data, there were 4.05 lakh SC, ST and girl students enrolled in undergraduate courses in the state but the figures decline to 10,870 students belonging to these categories at the postgraduate level.

An employee involved in administrative work of the college said: "Apart from a drop in internal resources, successive principals had not taken interest in payment of electricity bills."

He added: "Neither the state government nor the university gives special funds to colleges to meet such expenses. As a result, many educational institutions are unable to pay their power bills."

However, Ashok said the college had informed the university administration about the situation.

He said: "The university officials had a talk with Patna Electric Supply Unit (Pesu) officials who assured that power will be restored soon on payment of half of the dues. We are hopeful that the situation will improve by Monday." A senior Pesu official said: "The university has assured payment of half of dues. Based on their assurance, the power connection will be restored by Monday."

Anurag Kumar, an undergraduate student, said: "On Saturday afternoon, there was a powercut while we were in class. Later, we came to know that Pesu had disconnected the supply."

He added: "If the power situation does not improve by Monday, students especially those living at the Patna College hostel will be affected as there will neither be light nor water supply."

Sources said powercuts at colleges of Patna University is not a new issue.

On several occasions, many colleges such as Patna College, BN College, Patna Science College and even Patna University have witnessed power disconnections owing to non-payment of bills.

Power was usually restored later on assurances from the varsity and with payment of half the dues.