Pune, PCMC residents shocked by spike in electricity bills
Mehab Qureshi
Pune, Pimpri, June 22, 2020: Consumers are shocked by the high bills they have received from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MSEDCL) this month. During the lockdown period, MSEDCL did not take the electricity meter readings because most of the areas were in the red zones. Therefore, some customers had downloaded MSEDCL’s mobile app and sent pictures of their meter readings, but many of them who were unable to do this were billed for an average of the last three months.
What is the complaint of the consumers?
After the meter reading was taken, a high bill has been sent to the consumers in June, which has led to chaos amongst the customers.
Deepak Sharma, a resident of Parmar Park society, said, “I have been shocked as the bill that I have received is of Rs 19,500. On average, I only pay Rs 2500-3000. This is absurd and unreasonable. Besides, most people in our society have been billed seven times more than what they usually paid earlier. This doesn’t stop here. Our society bill, which is Rs 1-1.5 lakhs usually, is now spiked up to Rs 4.5 lakhs.”
“During summers, our bill is around between Rs 2000 to 3000 on average, but the bill that I have received is 13,870 this time. I have not paid the bill yet. I need clarification on why my bill has come so high”, said Mustafa Merchant of Wanawadi.
“I’ve received a bill of Rs 9000. This is quite unexpected because my monthly average is Rs 1500. This sudden spike has raised many questions, but I’ve not raised a complaint yet. Although I’ve paid the bill, I am unhappy with this”, said a resident of Keshav Joshi of Ganeshnagar.
Another resident Pradeep Bisht said that he has received a bill of Rs 4000 this month, whereas his monthly bill ranged only up to Rs 1000.
Sumit Soni, a resident of Punawale Society, said, “My average bill that is generated every month ranges from Rs 600-700, and it is never more than that. Suddenly, my bill in June has been generated for Rs 1500. The reason that this has happened is that they have added all the units of all three months and this has resulted in a higher electricity bill.”
What does MSEDSCL have to say about this?
Talking to Punekarnews.in, spokesperson of MSEDSCL said, “The bills have been calculated accurately. Nobody has been charged higher. We have calculated accurate readings and further cooperation is requested from the consumers.”
He further added, “Also during COVID times, social distancing should be followed and people should not go to the MSEDCL office with a complaint.”
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