A 'bill bomb' exploded as soon as the smart meter was installed! Instead of printed bills, they were allegedly handed slips ranging from 8,000 to 61,000 on blank paper
Bill shock’ strikes as soon as smart meters are installed! Allegations of being handed a slip on plain paper—instead of a printed bill—showing amounts ranging from ₹8,000 to ₹61,000.
Kawardha/Dasharangpur. Amidst the government and electricity department's claims about smart meters, a case of allegedly handing over exorbitant bills to electricity consumers has come to light in Dasharangpur village, within the Pandariya assembly constituency of Kabirdham district. According to villagers, after the installation of smart meters, many consumers have been told amounts ranging from 8,000 to 61,000 rupees on blank slips instead of the regular printed electricity bills.
Upon receiving information from the villagers, Manikant Tripathi, President of the Block Congress Committee, Kawardha Rural, reached Dasharangpur and met with the villagers in person to inquire about their problems. Based on the complaints and documents presented by the villagers, he demanded an impartial investigation into the entire matter.
Manikant Tripathi said that if smart meters are for the convenience of consumers, then why are bills of thousands of rupees and paper slips instead of printed bills issued immediately after the meter is installed? The government and the electricity department should clarify the basis on which these bills are calculated and why proper bills are not being provided to consumers.
He said that the poor, farmers, and ordinary consumers are already suffering from inflation and rising household expenses. In such a situation, if electricity bills of thousands of rupees are suddenly handed over in the name of smart meters, it is a matter of serious concern. The electricity department should promptly resolve consumer complaints and publicly explain the entire process of meter reading, bill calculation, and recovery.
Manikant Tripathi warned that ignoring rural consumer complaints would not be tolerated. Congress stands with the villagers and will strongly raise the issue with the electricity department if necessary.
On this occasion, Bhishma Pandey, District Vice President Bholaram Chandravanshi, District General Secretary Akash Kesarwani, State Secretary Youth Congress Mahesh Kesari, Shailendra Kesarwani, Vice President Block Congress Raju Khan, former Sarpanch and hundreds of villagers were present.
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