Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The District Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission in Jalna has strongly reprimanded the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for allegedly harassing a consumer by issuing electricity bills despite the power connection being disconnected for nearly two years.
Commission Quashes Bill and Orders Compensation
The commission quashed a power bill of Rs 17,270 issued to the complainant and directed MSEDCL to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for mental and physical distress, along with Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs. The order was passed by a bench chaired by Aparna Kate, with members Uday Dalvi and Santosh Nikule.
Consumer's Complaint
According to the complaint, the consumer had settled her final electricity bill on May 17, 2022, and formally requested the disconnection of supply, asking authorities not to issue further bills. However, MSEDCL generated a bill of Rs 17,270 on April 9, 2024, prompting her to approach the commission through advocate Mahesh Dhannawat.
Violation of Regulations
After examining the records, the commission observed that MSEDCL had allegedly issued bills without recording actual meter readings. As per Section 16.3.6 of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code, Standards of Conduct of Distribution Licensees and Power Quality) Regulations, 2021, a distribution licensee shall not levy estimated bills for more than two billing cycles at a time, and the consumer shall not be allowed to make more than two estimated bills in a financial year. In the present case, it has been proved that MSEDCL has not taken the meter reading of the applicant after May 9, 2022, and has been giving average bills.
The consumer court stated that the bill was issued in clear violation of the 2021 regulations, adding that MSEDCL had wrongly levied penalties, interest, and other charges on the disputed amount.
Deficiency in Service
Holding the utility accountable for deficiency in service, the commission ruled in favor of the consumer and ordered compensation and reimbursement of legal expenses. The ruling serves as a reminder to power distribution companies to adhere to regulatory guidelines and avoid arbitrary billing practices.
