Inflated bills: Don’t cut power supply, allow EMI, says MERC

AMID PLAINTS Says 2.32% consumers were billed on actual readings during the lockdown

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) on Monday issued directives for utility firms, including providing the option of easy monthly instalments (EMI) and not disconnecting power supply over non-payment of dues until grievances are redressed. According to MERC, only 6.35 lakh consumers across state were billed on actual meter readings during the lockdown, which is approximately 2.32% of the total consumer base.

Following reports of inflated bills, MERC held a meeting with heads of all the four distribution licensees on June 27. In a statement released on Monday, MERC said that if one’s bill is more than double of the average for the amount charged during March to

May, consumers should be given the option of dividing the payment into three EMIS. It has also asked utility firms to “set-up a robust monitoring mechanism”, like a dedicated help-desk or a grievance officer, to address queries from consumers within a day of their receipt. Power supply cannot be disconnected until consumers have been given the option of EMIS and their grievances redressed, MERC stated.

Consumers should also be provided with online software for them to self-check bills and meter readings must be rechecked on a suo motu basis if excessive consumption is noticed, said MERC. If they are not satisfied with their utility provider’s response, consumers may reach out to the electricity ombudsman.

Owing to the lockdown, actual meter reading was disconnected in March-end, following which consumers were billed on average consumption based on three months prior to March 2020, which were winter months. “The present bills raised on actual meter readings are of summer months where the consumption is normally high and the bills are always of higher amounts,” MERC said. However, thousands of consumers have complained they’ve been charged two to three times their normal usage. According to MERC, only 6,35,746 consumers across state were billed on actual meter reading during the lockdown period (see box), which is merely 2.32% of the total consumers.

Meanwhile, after actor Taapsee Pannu took to Twitter on Sunday to complain about a high electricity bill, celebrities like Huma S Qureshi, Tanujj Garg and RJ Malishka also tweeted on the issue on Monday.

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