The State Electricity Department’s revamped power billing system- spot billing machines-has, for now irked consumers who are complaining of receiving accumulated monthly bills with bulk payments due. While the power department tried to justify the problem stating that it is in the process of clearing the backlog, the public are facing the heat with power bills of a whopping Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000 being received at one go.
The restructured accelerated power development reform programme (RAPDRP) is being undertaken by the Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company Ltd together with its technology partner Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd, revamping all utilities in the department. The process had started in February.
“We have nothing to do with the revamping of the department. We consumers should not be made to suffer. I received a bill of Rs 8979 for a period between February to April, this month. It is impossible for a common man to pay such a huge amount at one go. When I went to find out, they said it is the new system of billing,” Vinayak, a resident from Panjim market area, said.
“I also got huge bill for January to March. The amount was something around Rs 7500. I received the bill in the first week of May. With no other option, I have to pay the bill. The electricity department officer told me that from this month onwards, I will receive monthly spot billing,” Govind Pai, a city resident said adding that at the place where he stays, a majority have got similar bills.
But this is not the situation in the entire city, as in certain parts, people are getting normal-time bound bills. “I got a bill for the month of January to March, last month. The amount was within the limit,” Shilpa Shenvi, a housewife, said.
When contacted, the Electricity department clarified that with the introduction of a spot billing machine, the implementing agency is currently clearing off the backlogs.
“In the past, junior engineers from the electricity department would note down meter readings, submit these to their respective subdivision office, which in turn would be sent to the Panjim head office where the bill would be generated and then sent back to the subdivision office, who would then issue the same to the consumers. Hence this will take two months at least,” Arun Patil, assistant engineer, Panjim division, said.
“This resulted in pending backlogs, which are now under the new system. We are clearing them all off. Soon, consumers will get spot billing for that particular period,” he explained. Under the new system, meter readers will be equipped with spot billing machines. These machines will generate bills instantaneously on the meter reading being keyed in.
The bills will bear all necessary consumer details including name, phone number, the unique eleven-digit contract account (CA) number presently being generated for each household, present and past meter reading, breakup of charges and amount due.
