Team Herald
MARGAO: The primary reason for the delay in delivering power bills to consumers has been revealed to be the additional duties of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to the meter readers. This additional responsibility is consuming significant time, leaving them unable to distribute bills in a timely manner.
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Sources have informed O Heraldo that officials within the Power Department have repeatedly raised this issue with higher authorities, including the District Collector’s office, but no corrective action has been taken. Despite their efforts, the problem of delayed bill delivery remains unresolved, frustrating both officials and consumers alike.
The shortened time frame between receiving the bill and the payment deadline is adding undue pressure on many, particularly those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Recently, a group of consumers from Raia brought this issue to the attention of the Power Minister, demanding urgent action to resolve the delays and calling for accountability from officials who have been ineffective in addressing the problem.
On Monday, a reliable source confirmed to O Heraldo that the additional BLO duties assigned to meter readers are the main cause of these delays. The source noted that many meter readers prioritise their BLO duties over bill distribution, exacerbating the issue.
“Consumers need at least a 15-day period to pay for the power they’ve consumed,” the source said, acknowledging the complaints about late bill delivery.
Anthony Fernandes, a consumer from Raia, expressed concern over the impact on lower-income families who are already struggling to meet payment deadlines due to delayed bill distribution. He further criticised the imbalance in penalties, noting that while consumers face immediate action for delayed payments, there is no equivalent accountability for the late delivery of bills.
