Pune: In an unusual case of mismanagement by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), a resident from Vishrantwadi received an electricity bill of ₹11,000 for November 2024, despite not having an electricity meter installed in his house.
Ganesh Mahadu Makar, a resident of Parande Nagar, Dhanori (Customer Number: 160235220650), reported that his power supply was disconnected over a year ago when MSEDCL removed his meter due to non-payment. Despite this, he was billed for 81 units of electricity consumption.
Key Questions Raised
Makar questioned the credibility of MSEDCL's billing process, asking how 81 units could be recorded without a functioning meter. He also challenged the methods used by the meter-reading agency to calculate consumption in his case.
History of the Issue
Makar's electricity meter had been malfunctioning for over 18 months. Despite minimal usage — only one bulb and a fan — he received an inflated bill last year, which he could not pay.
Consequently, MSEDCL removed the meter but continued charging him a fixed meter rent, compounding his grievances.
Local Criticism and Consumer Impact
The incident has drawn criticism from local residents. Dilip Dalimkar, a neighbor, expressed concerns, saying, "Such incidents reflect serious negligence and lead to consumers living without basic utilities. Legal action against MSEDCL is inevitable."
MSEDCL’s Assurance
MSEDCL engineer Sarangdhar Kenekar assured Makar that his bill would be revised to reflect accurate charges. However, this issue has highlighted systemic flaws, causing inconvenience to affected consumers.
Call for Reforms
The incident has sparked demands for stricter oversight and accountability within MSEDCL. Residents and consumers have emphasized the need for new policies to prevent billing errors and ensure efficient electricity management. Cases like this underline the need for urgent reforms to address operational inefficiencies and safeguard consumer rights.
