Bihar: Consumer Receives Rs 18 Lakh Electricity Bill Due to Departmental Negligence

Katihar: In a shocking case of billing negligence, consumer Makku Tudu from Ward 12, North Simaria Panchayat, Koira Block, Katihar, has received an electricity bill amounting to Rs 18,56,132 for the last four months. The staggering bill has raised concerns among locals, who believe it stems from the electricity department’s mishandling.

The issue surfaced after the department replaced Tudu’s postpaid meter with a prepaid one in August. According to Tudu’s family, there were two months of pending dues from the old meter. Following the installation of the prepaid meter, they were hit with an astronomical bill, leading to the disconnection of their electricity supply. The family, along with other residents, is now facing significant hardships.

Residents of Ward 12 allege that the electricity department’s negligence is to blame for the inflated bill. Tudu has appealed to department officials, requesting an immediate review and correction of the erroneous billing. However, it appears that no action has been taken by the authorities yet, further frustrating the consumers.

This is not an isolated incident. Complaints about unusually high electricity bills have been reported not only in Katihar but also from several other areas. The problem seems to lie in the smart meters installed by the department, with consumers expressing their dissatisfaction. The situation has sparked protests, with villagers in some areas clashing with officials over the issue.

In response, district magistrates (DMs) of several districts have instructed government departments to install smart meters to assure the public of their accuracy. However, the growing opposition to smart meters continues to pose a challenge for both the government and electricity companies.

In a similar case, the electricity department recently sent a notice to Hotel James in Begusarai for an outstanding bill of Rs 16,21,426. The hotel owner took the matter to senior officials, and it eventually escalated to court. This further highlights the widespread concerns over billing inaccuracies in various regions.

As the situation develops, affected consumers are calling for urgent intervention and resolution to prevent further disruptions in their electricity services.