Power billing errors in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Numerous irregularities in the city’s electricity billing system have surfaced. Reports of excess billing, online bill payments not being updated, and online payments not being refunded have been received by the board. Consumers making online payments have found that their bills are being marked as unpaid. Many have failed to take note of this until officials have turned up to disconnect their connections.

Deccan Chronicle spoke to residents from various localities to find out the extent of the problem. R.T. Rao from Erramanzil said, “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.”

Complaints on non-updating was reported at Secunderabad TSSPDCL division.“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,” noted Ms Sumathi Desai of Secunderabad. A new circle has been created, called Secunderabad Cantonment division, with three subdivisions. The authorities claimed that it is a temporary problem.

Pavan Kanth of Kukatpally said that he had been billed excessive amounts for three consecutive months. “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,” he said

Bhavesh V., a resident of Friends Colony in Chandanagar, said, “For the past couple of months our TSSPDCL bills have not been generated on time, and so we end up having to pay additional amounts.”

He said that his bill for the previous month had been generated for a period of 32 days, instead of the usual 30. “Just because of the two extra days, my slab changed. So now I have to pay extra money,” he said.

People who opt for online payment also have several complaints. Ansar Ahmed 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 these issues were brought to the notice of Vidhya Sagar Rao, the Chief General Manager of Hyderabad for the electricity board, 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.”

Power cuts at many places

Many localities in the twin cities have reported power cuts in the last few days as TSSPDCL is repairing circle-level substations following the damages caused by the rains.

City head for TSSPDCL 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.”