Consumers not overcharged: MSEDCL

Staff Reporter :

The period of lockdown when citizens stayed put in safe confines of their homes is haunting them as latest Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) bills have given them a shock. The astronomically high energy bills has put consumers of State-run distribution company grappling for answers. Belatedly the company has come out with explanation of how the bill amount is calculated so as to end confusion raging among citizens. MSEDCL said that one reason for higher bills is due to fact that in current month meter reading was taken. For last two months reading process was suspended due to concerns over COVID-19 pandemic. So the current bill received for June reflects actual consumption and hence the charges might appear higher for the citizens.

One reason as per power officials is that majority of consumers did not respond to requests sent on their registered mobile numbers to upload the meter-reading during the period of lockdown. Of the 2.30 crore consumers, only 3.65 lakh shared the meter-reading during those two months’ period. Hence for the two consecutive months, MSEDCL billed the consumers who had not shared the meter data on average consumption basis. Now that actual consumption was recorded the difference of two months stands realised and hence the amount seems higher.

MSEDCL officials further contended that the average bills sent during two months during lockdown period was calculated based on consumption of three months during winter which tends to be on lower side. But during summer the consumption increases and same is reflected in current bill. The officials further stated that if people compared it previous year utilisation of power they would realise that billing is done properly. The company said for example if average bill of a consumer was for 33 units usage and now in month of June the actual reading is 307 units then the current bill is on actual consumption of three months, for 92 days period. Another reason is that for 307 units actual consumption taken is just 100 units per month thereby giving benefit of lower slab to the consumer. The increase in power tariff are effective from April are are properly bifurcated and consumers are not overcharged, clarified the officials. Further the company release said consumers can check the billing on the link https://billcal.mahadiscom.in/consumerbill/

‘Citizens being fooled’

Staff Reporter

The explanation of MSEDCL fails to cuts ice as the current consumption data stands on far higher side compared to historical utilisation data of any domestic consumers. Further the release of company itself points to smart play on their part saying, while the payment of average consumption is adjusted but not the units. Means, MSEDCL has admitted to jugglery in billing the households on total units of entire three months. As per some consumers and experts, simply put MSEDCL has first bracketed all the domestic consumers in highest slab that ensured higher billing. This was also done as from April 1, new charges come into effect that already drives the bill on further high side.

Thereafter to indicate its large heartedness the company deducted the payment made for the average units. This however is beyond logic as how can the units for which payment has already been made can again be added for purpose of calculation of energy charges. This is nothing but double whammy for the hapless people most of whom have been at receiving end due to job losses or heavy pay cuts owing to countrywide lockdown. At least in a welfare state this was not the least expected by people of Maharashtra from the State-run power distribution company.