Consumers put faith in Mahavitaran, pay bills of whopping Rs 1,500 crore

Staff Reporter :

Sustained outreach on part of Mahavitaran, the State-owned distribution company, paid rich dividends as 35 lakh consumers in Vidarbha region paid Rs 1500 crore amount in power bills during lockdown period. The payment of such a huge amount indicates faith reposed in state machinery on part of consumers as their doubts got cleared. In fact when mass hysteria started post receipt of hefty bills, the company swung into action and decided on largest ever outreach so that consumers are satisfied that billing was done in most transparent manner.

Also consumers were provided 2 per cent incentive for one stroke payment of three months aggregated bill and going further instalments were provided for those consumers who faced difficulty in meeting their obligations. Those paying in installment would not be penalised for late payment. Dilip Dodke, Officiating Chief Engineer, Mahavitaran, Nagpur Circle, has appealed consumers to make on-line payment and avoid crowding at billing centres and payment in cash. During the lockdown, Mahavitaran had suspended meter reading owing to concern over pandemic. So bills for three months were generated assuming average consumption rather than actual usage and hence it was on a lower side.

As lockdown was eased, meter-reading resumed and actual consumption was adjusted in June bill taking into account entire three months’ usage. One point that most consumer missed out was that ex-April 1, new power tariff became applicable due to which there was slight upward rise and due to adjustment of actual usage the bills were all time high. However to reassure consumers that entire billing was done in fair manner, Mahavitaran officials organised 266 webinar and also set-up 1,778 help centres in Vidarbha Region to address queries, clear doubts and provide other help.

Almost Rs. 1545 crore were paid by 35 lakh consumers till date. The category-wise payment made is Household - 31,94,510 consumers (Rs 656 crore); Commercial - 2,33,640 (Rs 141 crore) and Industrial - 67,400 (Rs 611 crore and others 40 (Rs 134 crore). During the two months, June and July about 13 lakh consumers paid their bill amounting to Rs 708 crore. During the period of April 1 to July 28 Nagpur Circle coming under Nagpur Regional Office of MSEDCL has highest payment of bills of Rs 869 crore on part of 15,06,520 consumers, Chandrapur Circle-Rs 219 crore by 5,61,750 consumers, Amravati Circle - Rs 197 crore by 5,86,410 consumers, Gondia Circle - Rs 115 crore by 4,11,340 consumers, and Akola Circle-Rs 143 crore by 4,73,200 consumers.