Sir,

With the COVID pandemic eruption in early March this year, and declaring of the lockdown, many agencies and institutions both Government and private came forward voluntarily to help the people to reduce their distress in payment of statutory bills and bank loans.  CESC too joined and said that next three months, the bill not be collected and fine not levied and disconnection of power not made.  

Now with relaxing of lockdown, CESC started collecting the dues.  Though some consumers had paid the average bill, the present power bill issued is very high, even after deducting the average paid in April.  On enquiry with CESC, they state that the average is calculated and consumption might be high.  

A keen observation can reveal that the bill amount for two months is calculated for the total number of units consumed and the charges without giving monthly split of energy charges on rate based.  

Further, a consumer who has paid Rs. 620 in February, Rs. 700 in March, has also paid Rs. 700 as average in April is billed now for two months at Rs. 2,540. Even the solar deduction is considered for one month itself in the average amount, wherein it should have been deducted in the entire present bill amount. 

This is how the CESC has calculated on the total units consumed for two months, ignoring the average of last few months and also just taking ride of gullible users. 

Many consumers were shocked with this billing and seen making futile attempt to set it right. Will the CESC clarify or do we need to treat this also as another daylight robbery by a Government agency?

– Vijay Hemmige, Mysuru, 9.5.2020

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