Power bills already high in summer; additional burden of security deposit

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Even as electricity consumption has risen during the summer, leading to higher bills, consumers have now been issued additional security deposit bills by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The power utility has appealed to consumers to pay this additional security deposit amount.

Power usage rises due to fans, coolers and ACs

With the intensifying summer heat, the use of fans, air coolers and air conditioners has increased significantly. Already troubled by higher electricity bills, consumers are now facing an additional financial burden in the form of the security deposit demanded by MSEDCL.

Charged every year in April

As per Regulation 13.1 of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s Electricity Supply Code, 2001, a security deposit is collected from electricity consumers. This deposit is recalculated every year, and after the end of the financial year, a new amount is determined based on the consumer’s average electricity usage over the previous year.

For consumers billed monthly, the deposit is set at twice the average monthly bill, while for those billed quarterly, it is one-and-a-half times the average quarterly bill. This charge is levied every year in April.

Option to pay in equal monthly instalments

MSEDCL has provided consumers the facility to pay the additional security deposit in up to six equal monthly instalments. Details regarding this option are mentioned on the security deposit bill.

Refund with interest also applicable

According to Regulation 13.11, interest on the security deposit paid by consumers is credited through electricity bills at a rate equivalent to that prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.