TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Aggrieved after several residents received exorbitant electricity bills, the Veling-Priol-Cuncolim Panchayat led by Sarpanch Damodar Naik along with some residents on Friday met the Ponda electricity department officials demanding an explanation and to rectify the shortcomings.
According to information, recently several residents from Veling-Priol-Cuncolim Panchayat area were taken by surprise when they received exorbitant electricity bills.
The residents were concerned as the electricity bills amount issued in the previous month were comparatively much higher than the regular monthly bills. However, sudden rise in bill amount was later attributed to miscalculation in the number of units consumed. After the panchayat members came to know the problem, the panchas led by Sarpanch Damodar Naik met Assistant Engineer J S Chaudhary.
“There are numerous residents whose monthly electricity consumption bills have been doubled due to miscalculation of units. Those who used to get an average bill of Rs 500 received Rs 1,000 electricity bill. One of the resident’s electricity bill showed Rs 32,909 however after rectification at Ponda electricity department on Friday, the bill amount came to about Rs 1,000,” informed Panch Adv Varad Mardolkar.
“Whatever may be the reason for this mess, we have told the officials concerned that the residents should not be made to suffer. Unaware of the problem, some residents have already paid the bills,” said Mardolkar.
Sarpanch Naik said, “The officials have assured us that the problem will be solved and the last date which was January 4 to pay the electricity bills will be extended by 10 more days. Officials told us that the junior engineer at Mardol will be given authority to rectify mistakes in the bills and residents from our area need not have to travel to Ponda office.”
