Electricity consumers of Uttarakhand are most troubled by meters and electricity bills. This has been revealed by the latest annual report of the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has been presented in the House during the Bhararisain Assembly session.
The Regulatory Commission has a total of nine consumer grievance redressal forums in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. All of them received 1715 complaints in a year, out of which the maximum 1299 complaints were related to electricity bills and meters. All the forums have also resolved most of these. On the other hand, the Electricity Ombudsman constituted by the Commission also received 55 complaints, out of which 41 were related to electricity meters and bills. Nine complaints were related to new electricity connections.
How many complaints of whom in which forum
Forum Total complaints Meter and electricity bill New connection related
Dehradun 230 146 12
Haldwani 336 236 05
Rudrapur 346 288 26
Haridwar 194 152 23
Srinagar 44 44 00
Uttarkashi 277 218 15
Karnprayag 91 75 00
Almora 102 93 01
Pithoragarh 95 47 09
UPCL is giving 5.50 percent bills without reading
The commission has told in its report that in March last year, the work related to billing and meter checking of UPCL was reviewed. It was found that in March 24, UPCL had issued bills to only 94.52 percent consumers on the basis of reading. Bills of the rest of the consumers were being issued on the basis of estimated consumption only. The commission directed UPCL to reduce the estimated consumption based bills due to reasons like ADF, IDF, RDF, NAAR, NB etc., so that its revenue increases.
According to the UPCL management, work is going on to install smart meters in the homes of more than 16 lakh consumers of the state. After the installation of these meters, the complaints of consumers regarding electricity bills will be resolved. They will be able to see their consumption through a mobile app. This will resolve all the complaints related to the reading of bills
