Patna: Electricity consumers across Bihar will soon find it easier to raise their problems, as the state energy department has ordered power company officials to hear public complaints two days a week. The new arrangement is aimed at making the system more people-friendly and ensuring that electricity-related issues are resolved faster and with less hassle for consumers.
According to the order, electricity officials will listen to public grievances every Monday and Friday at circle offices across the state. On Mondays, complaints will be heard between 12.30pm and 2pm, while on Fridays the timing will be from 3pm to 4.30pm. Consumers will be able to directly meet officials to discuss issues such as billing errors, faulty meters, power supply disruptions and other service-related problems.
The decision was taken after a meeting chaired by Manoj Kumar Singh, secretary of the energy department and chairman and managing director of Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited. The initiative is part of the state government’s “Seven Resolutions–3” programme, under the theme “Respect for All – Easy Life”. Officials have been clearly instructed to remain present during the fixed hours, treat consumers with respect, properly register complaints and ensure that problems are resolved as quickly as possible.
To make the visits comfortable, all circle offices have been directed to provide basic facilities for consumers, including seating arrangements, drinking water and toilet facilities. The grievance hearings will be open to both regular household consumers and industrial users, ensuring that people from different sectors can benefit from the system.
In addition, special attention has been given to industrial and large commercial consumers. Every Friday, an “open house” meeting will be organised at Vidyut Bhawan in Patna for High Tension (HT) and Low Tension Industrial Supply (LTIS) consumers. Senior officials, including the managing directors of North Bihar and South Bihar power distribution companies, will be present to hear their concerns. The government hopes this step will reduce delays, improve communication and make electricity services in Bihar more reliable and responsive.
