MSEDCL bills shock power consumers

NASHIK: A section of electricity consumers in Nashik city have received bill reflecting astronomically high units of power usage despite having cleared their dues in the past three months.
The citizens, who have an average consumption of about 80 units per month and usually pay bills of around Rs 320, have been asked to shell out Rs 1,500 as power bill reflecting consumption of 300 units.
“This is despite me paying the average bills for the entire lockdown period. If my average consumption is about 80 units, I can still reconcile with consumption of 160 units even. But 300 unit-use is too much,” said Arvind Patil, a resident of Indira Nagar.
There are several consumers who claimed similar issues and visited the sub-divisional office. However, they returned empty-handed.
“I had been to the sub-division office near my house. But I was told the energy consumption was to the mark,” Sanjay Kamble, a resident of Anandwalli, said.
An MSEDCL officer, meanwhile, has urged people to understand the consumption pattern. He asked people to consider the fact that all electrical gadget were running overtime this summer because all family members were at home due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Television, fans, mobiles charger, induction cooktops remained plugged in for longer durations during the lockdown, he said.
The authorities also pointed out that all the consumers should refer to the total units consumption that their meters reflect. “That is the best way to ensure the bills are correct. In case the billing units in bill are in excess over the actual readings, the officials will get the bills revised in no time. People can dial 1912 toll free number,” the officer added.