‘2% rebate on lump sum payment of power bills’
01 Jul 2020 08:58:07
Staff Reporter :
State Energy Minister Dr. Nitin Raut has announced an incentive, a 2 per cent rebate for consumers of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in case of payment of total bill in one go. The decision was taken to encourage payment of energy bills within the stipulated time, as many of the consumers are finding it hard to digest the current bills, the first post reading in aftermath of lockdown. Also, Dr Raut said consumers can also opt for paying the bill in three installments so that they are not unnecessarily taxed. Many of the people are thinking that the power bill is high inflated. However since Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) itself has gone through the billing process, people should not have any doubt as to its veracity. The Minister addressing mediapersons in Mumbai said, there is no need for domestic customers to visit office of MSEDCL to get facility of installments.
People can pay the amount on-line and even if prompted about notice of penalty they should ignore and opt for part payment of bill. The balance amount of bill will be carried forward in next billing cycle and it would not attract any penalty. And in case people choose to pay entire electricity bill in one go, a 2 per cent discount would be provided and same would reflect in next billing cycle. Domestic consumers are complaining of high bill even though their consumption was on lower side. Also many are claming that they had gone to their hometowns due to lockdown and inspite of that they have received average electricity bills as per their previous consumption.
By taking the actual meter readings of the electricity meters of such customers their electricity bills will be corrected in the next cycle if such condition exist. Average power bills were given to the customers as MERC had ordered MSEDCL not to go for spot for meter readings and distribute electricity bills to consumers during the lockdown period in view of pandemic. As lockdown was relaxed by the government, MSEDCL started meter reading, electricity bill distribution and electricity payment collection centers from June 1, 2020 at all places except in containment areas.
The reason for higher power bills in June 2020 is that the average consumption during the lockdown period (April and May) is lower than the average consumption in December 2019, January and February 2020. But in reality, actual power consumption had increased due to work from home in the summer season. Even otherwise during summer the consumption tends to increase and that is aptly reflected when actual reading of metres was taken. Instructions have been given to the Chief Engineer, Superintendent Engineer in all the field offices to explain to the customers how the June 2020 bill is correct and also to resolve grievances of the customers. The customers can contact on energyminister@mahadiscom.in for more information.