Errors in computerized bills and delayed generation of electricity bills have angered residents of Candolim sufficiently enough for 150 of them to register their protest at the electricity department office at Naikka Vaddo, Calangute, on Wednesday.
A memorandum highlighting the issues was submitted to assistant engineer K Chandran urging him to look into the matter on a priority basis.
What has angered residents most is the delay in generating the electricity bills, with many of them claiming they are being issued bills after 5 or 6 months, compelling them to shell out around Rs 5000 to 8000 at a time.
Errors in the bills have also led residents to receive bills amounting to lakhs of rupees, only to have the faulty bills rectified following visits to the electricity office at Calangute. Many have claimed that they had been receiving regular bills, until the electricity department office was shifted to Calangute.
“If the PWD can issue us bi-monthly water bills at regular intervals, why can’t the electricity department do likewise,” asked Crisante Mathias.
“Presently, bills are issued after every 5 or 6 months and the steep sum makes it difficult for a person earning a meagre salary to pay. The electricity department should regularly issue bi-monthly bills in the interest of consumers,” Mathias told Herald.
Another resident, Ruskin Mascarenhas, said, “There are plenty of errors in the computerized bills, with some people receiving bills amounting to Rs 2 lakh for domestic consumption. These bills were later rectified, while others were forced to pay either in installments or in full.”
Mascarenhas also pointed out to other difficulties in the bills. “These computer-generated bills are difficult to understand, especially for elderly people. There should be separate columns for arrears and credits, besides explaining the FFPCA for the benefit of consumers,” Mascarenhas added.
After listening to the grievances, Chandran assured to look into the issues highlighted by them and also promised to come up with bi-monthly billing within six months. The locals were unhappy with the reply and wanted bi-monthly billing to start the soonest possible.
“We have initiated steps for regularization of bi-monthly bills through Goa Electronics Limited, but the process will take some time. I will suggest separate arrears and credits column in the computerized bills and rectify the errors wherever possible,” Chandran added.
