Amid growing controversy over an allegedly inflated electricity bill received by Bollywood actress and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has issued a formal clarification, stating that the bill amount was not INR 1 lakh as claimed, but approximately INR 91,000 — including pending arrears and recent usage.
Speaking to the media, HPSEBL Managing Director Sandeep Kumar said the total bill included unpaid dues and charges accumulated over several billing cycles. “Kangana Ranaut had raised an issue in the media, claiming she was billed INR 1 lakh. I want to clarify that the actual bill was around INR 91,000 and some hundred rupees,” Kumar stated.
Breaking down the charges, Kumar said Ranaut had cleared her November and December bills only in mid-January and had not paid the bills for January and February. Additionally, her bill for 28 days of March alone amounted to approximately INR 55,000. With arrears of INR 31,000–INR 32,000 and other standard charges added, the final bill stood near INR 91,000.
The electricity board emphasized that the amount appeared large due to accumulated unpaid dues. “Had the payments been made on time, the billed amount would have been much lower,” Kumar noted.
He also addressed concerns over communication, stating that Ranaut’s team had not contacted the board before the issue became public. “No one from her side inquired with us directly before raising the matter in the media. We’ve now issued a press note to clarify the facts,” Kumar added.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about billing transparency and public accountability, especially given Ranaut’s position as a Member of Parliament from Mandi and her active presence in national discourse.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)