The electricity bills issued to the consumers for June have taken the consumer by shock. Many people living in Mumbai have received bills that are eight times the normal bills expected during summers.
The increase in electricity bill during lockdown has become a matter of concern for consumers. In this regard, Energy Minister Nitin Raut held a press conference and answered the questions of the people. He announced to provide some relief to the consumers who have received huge amount of electricity bill. The minister said that consumers will get a discount of 2 percent if they pay entire electricity bill together.
He also said that wherever the bill is more than double that of the average for the period March to May, consumer should be given the option to make payment in 3 EMIs.
It was learnt that during the lockdown period, bills were raised on average consumption of three months prior to March 2020 which being winter months, the consumption is invariably low and therefore average bills were of lower amount. The present bills raised on actual meter readings are of the summer months where the consumption is normally high and the bills are always of higher amounts. Hence the balance amount payable after adjusting the average bill amounts for each of the three months March, April and May have led to a higher bill.
Consumer Grievance Redressal Cell has also been set up in all the offices of MSEDCL across the state to resolve the grievances of the consumers.
Actors Taapsee Pannu, Renuka Shahane and comedian Vir Das had also tweeted about their inflated electricity bills.