Advertisement

'No relaxation in the inflated electricity bills': Energy minister Nitin Raut

However, the state government has provided the facility of payment in three installments and has also announced a 2 per cent incentive for payment in one go, Raut stated.

'No relaxation in the inflated electricity bills': Energy minister Nitin Raut
SHARES

Days after hinting at a major relief to those facing the issue of inflated power bills, the electricity consumers received a huge shock as the Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut on Tuesday announced that the government will not be able to provide any relaxation in the inflated electricity bills that consumers received post-lockdown.

Raut said that it is not possible to give a concession considering the overall situation of MSEDCL.

Speaking to reporters at a function Raut said only the state government would take a decision on the matter, adding that the further decision would be taken to the Chief Minister's Court.

However, the state government has provided the facility of payment in three instalments and has also announced a 2 per cent incentive for payment in one go, Raut stated.

“We provided electricity 24x7 during lockdown and bills have to be paid as per the readings. Even Mahavitaran [Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited] is a consumer, it buys electricity from other sources. Today MSEDCL is facing a debt of Rs 69,000 crore, we cannot avail further debt at this stage. Consumers, who have used electricity, and whose bills are found accurate as per the meter reading, must pay the bills,” Raut added.

Meanwhile, the minister also ensured that the company will not disconnect the power connection of anyone for non-payment of dues. He claimed that the state government tried hard to provide relief but unfortunately no help was received from the central government.

Earlier, speaking over the issue of inflated power bills, Raut claimed that his department has sent proposals to the Finance Department seven times.

During the lockdown, the power corporation staff were not able to physically record meter readings and the bills were an approximation based on past usage. Several people, including celebrities in Mumbai and other parts of the state, complained about the bills during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some consumers even reported inflated bills in locked houses.
RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates