Cases of inflated power bills and faulty meter readings, leaving consumers fuming, often come to the fore, sometimes surpassing actual consumption due to calculation errors by the electricity distribution companies. In one such case, Sanjay Thul, a retired Assistant Commissioner, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Nagpur was shocked to receive an electricity bill of Rs 29,830 for the month of May. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Thul said, “I was shocked to see the bill. I could not believe my eyes. I expected a regular bill of Rs 3,000-5,000, but this literally shook me,” Thul said.

 

After receiving the bill, Thul raised the matter with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), and also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding urgent representation for rationalisation and reduction of domestic electricity tariffs in Maharashtra. According to Thul, the Consumer No of his electricity connection is 410022455781 and every month, he consumed around 300-500 units and had ordinary home appliances. However, the latest bill recorded 1,442 units, which is impossible. “It is of a grave financial concern, which is impacting millions of residential electricity consumers across Maharashtra.

 

The unsustainably high domestic electricity tariffs levied by MSEDCL is causing big trouble for citizens and my case is a perfect example of electricity distribution glitches,” said Thul. According to him, the consumers in Nagpur city are paying the highest tariff as compared to other major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. “If I consider the unit printed in the bill, then MSEDCL charged me the cost of Rs 20.71 per unit, which is more than the commercial connection,” said Thul. “For domestic consumers, whose usage exceeds 300 to 500 units—a common and unavoidable occurrence during peak summer due to necessary cooling—the base energy charges skyrocket. In this specific bill, the Energy Charges alone account for a staggering Rs 22,075.26,” claimed the retired Assistant Commissioner.