Residents of Panchkula are raising serious concerns over unexpected and sudden electricity disconnections by the power distribution company, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL). The issue has sparked outrage as consumers report their power supply being snapped without prior notice or verification, even in cases where bills have been paid on time or not received at all.
Residents Narrate Harrowing Experiences
Vigyan Arora, a resident of Sector 4 in Mansa Devi Complex, stated that his electricity connection was disconnected despite making a timely payment. He emphasized that proper intimation should be a mandatory step before any such action. Arora pointed out a systemic flaw, noting that many residents still use non-smart meters and pay their dues as soon as they receive the bill. He urged officials to check the online payment status thoroughly before proceeding with disconnection.
Another resident, L M Mittal, who has a smart meter installed, shared a similar ordeal. He mentioned that while they usually pay after consumption, his connection was cut off for the first time despite having made the payment. Mittal advocated for a minimum 24-hour notice period before any disconnection. He also highlighted a communication gap, stating that he receives bills only via text messages and called for physical or email copies to be sent as well for better record-keeping.
Senior Citizen's Health Put at Risk
The situation turned critical for senior citizen Satwant Kaur Bali, whose health depends on an oxygen concentrator. She revealed that her power was disconnected suddenly, without any notification before or after the event. Bali had paid her bill just three days after the due date. The family only discovered the disconnection when the oxygen concentrator stopped working and they lodged a repair complaint. She also lamented the lack of hard copies of bills, which adds to the confusion for many elderly citizens.
UHBVNL's Response and Resident Demands
In response to the mounting complaints, Chandan Singh, Chief Engineer (Operations) of UHBVNL, addressed the issue. He stated that such incidents are not common practice. Singh explained that the problem often arises when payments made after the due date are not immediately updated in the company's system. He advised residents who make late payments to proactively inform the local UHBVNL office to avoid such mishaps. He also clarified that bills are issued through both online and offline modes.
However, residents remain unsatisfied with this explanation. They have collectively urged UHBVNL to adopt stricter verification protocols and ensure a mandatory prior notice is served to prevent these sudden and distressing disconnections. The incidents have exposed gaps in the system's customer service and real-time data updating mechanisms, prompting calls for immediate corrective action to protect consumers, especially the vulnerable.
