Criminal action for bounced electricity bill cheques

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has warned of criminal action against consumers issuing bounced cheques to avoid payment of pending electricity bills. In the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar circle, around 130 cheques from low-tension consumers bounce every month due to reasons such as incorrect dates, overwriting, wrong signatures, incorrect names, or insufficient bank balance, leading to delays in bill recovery and rising dues.

For every bounced cheque, Rs 750 bank charges and Rs 135 GST (Rs 885 total) along with late payment charges are added to the next bill. If one cheque is used to pay multiple bills, penalties are applied to each bill. Though a receipt is issued when the cheque is submitted, the bill is treated as paid only when the amount is credited, which may lead to outstanding dues if credited after the due date. After receiving a cheque return memo, MSEDCL will issue a notice. If the amount is not paid within 15 days, the company will file a complaint before a judicial magistrate and initiate legal proceedings. Regional and divisional offices have been instructed to enforce these orders.