Exorbitant power bills leave consumers flummoxed

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Ludhiana: Inflated bills from Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), apparently due to a glitch in the billing system, have left consumers fuming. Many of them complained that the amount in their quarterly bill has gone up by two to three times.
Shocked to receive the inflated bills, they are now forced to do the rounds of the regional office of the power corporation in Agar Nagar here for rectification.
Sandeep Singh, a resident of BRS Nagar, said earlier he had got a bill of Rs 3,000 for April and May through online system, which he paid through the digital mode. “But, a few days back, we again received a bill of over Rs 7,000, which includes the previous billed amount that we have already cleared,” he said.
Ajay Goswami of Dhaka colony said at the PSPCL regional office, “I paid online a bill of Rs 2,000 only a few days back and within a fortnight, I have again received a bill of Rs 4,000. So, I am visiting the regional office for correction.”
Several other consumers also complained that after issuing online electricity bills to the consumers, the corporation has again sent new bills to them, wherein the previously paid amounts are shown as outstanding.
“After the lockdown, I lost by job and facing difficulties in even managing household expenses. This inflated bill has further added to the stress. PSPCL has done wrong billings, causing avoidable harassment to the consumers,” said another consumer outside the PSPCL office.
When contacted, chief engineer of central zone, Virinder Pal Singh Saini said, “We will take up this issue with the authorities of the commercial department, who deal with billing, so that consumers do not face any difficulties. We have given directions to the officials of the regional centre for addressing the grievances of consumers at the earliest.”
How to lodge grievances
Consumers can contact PSPCL by visiting their Facebook page — Fb.com/pspclpb — and writing their complaints, along with their residential details. They can also register complaints via Twitter using the PSPCL handle — Twitter.com/pspclpb. The corporation can also be contacted at Instagram.com/pspcl. Besides, toll-free helpline 18001801512 can be dialled to lodge complaints as well.