Hyderabad: Various irregularities in electricity billing system are being reported in Hyderabad with consumers filling various complaints about excessive billing, online bill payments not being updated on time other than no refunds of online payments made are a few to address.
Consumers have also found that though they have made their payments they are still marked unpaid. The issues have recently come to light when electricity officials visited the consumer’s residence to disconnect their connections.
Speaking on the issue, resident of Erram Manzil R.T Rao says “The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) recently changed the ERO code without informing the public. As a result, people are unable to re-register their service numbers on the TSSPDCL website or on the e-Seva.”
Secunderabad TSSPDCL division received complaints regarding the bills not being updated. Ms. Sumathi Desai from Secunderabad said, “I utilise the electronic clearance system (ECS). For the bill in September, the payment was deducted through ECS. But it wasn’t updated in the TSSPDCL system. I turned a defaulter despite paying”.
The Secunderabad division authorities said a new circle called Secunderabad Cantonment with three subdivisions has been created which is causing the temporary issue and soon will be solved.
Pavan Kanth from Kukatpally says he had been excessively charged for three consecutive months. He said, “I was shocked to receive a bill of around Rs 500 for July, August and September. I was out of town, with my family, and the house was locked for ten days. We usually get a bill of around Rs 100 to Rs 200, but for the past few months we have been billed double that amount”.
A resident of Friends Colony in Chandanagar Bhavesh V., said, “For the past couple of months our TSSPDCL bills have not been generated in time, and so we end up having to pay additional amounts.”
He says that he was charged for 32 days instead of the usual 30 days billing for the previous month. He said “Just because of the two extra days, my slab changed. So now I have to pay extra money”.
Ansar Ahmed who has been paying his bill online said, “I have paid an electricity bill amounting to Rs 1,431 through an online transaction. The amount has been deducted from my account, but the payment is not reflected in the bill.”
When consumers brought these issues to the notice of Chief General Manager of Hyderabad Vidhya Sagar Rao, he said, “Whenever a bill payment is made, it is reflected in the board’s system. In case the payment is not being reflected, residents are requested to approach the electricity revenue offices with evidence of payment. The board will adjust the payment against the next month’s bill. The issues raised will be taken up with the General Manager of the IT Wing. Also, there is a facility available for online payers to check if their bill has been paid.”
Many twin city residents have reported of untimely power cuts in the past few days since TSSPDCL is currently repairing the substations due to the damages caused by heavy rains in the city.
TSSPDCL City head speaking on the issue said, “The maintenance has been postponed due to the rains in October. A 130 KV substation is being set up and enhancement of line is also taken up. Due to the repairs, power is cut at certain locations.”