CM asks Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd to verify complaints over electricity bills

GUWAHATI: Worried over electricity consumers’ hiccups over the reported inflated bills in the case of smart meters and prepaid meters, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asked the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd.) to verify the veracity of some of the complaints.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) sent three complaints to the APDCL for verification. The complaint of a consumer, Deepak Kalita, is that he received bills of Rs 115 in April and Rs 556 in June. Another consumer, Champak Deka, said that he received a bill of Rs 1,200 in June compared to Rs 800 in May. Jan Rabha said that he received a bill of Rs 424 in June, compared to only Rs 170 in May.

According to APDCL sources, they have verified the bills and found no irregularities. The increase in bills is due to the consumption of more power units, they said.

Official sources further said that a section of power consumers are under the presumption that the introduction of smart meters and prepaid meters has led to an increase in electric charges. They said there might be some technical reasons for an increase in tariffs in a few cases, and they added that instead of coming to the APDCL, they rush to the media. The consumers can contact the APDCL through the toll-free number 1912 to get their grievances addressed.

Official sources said that the APDCL is introducing smart prepaid meters following an order under a Central Government’s scheme under implementation all over India, not only in Assam.

Even APDCL sends messages to each consumer informing them of their balance, they said.

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