Srikakulam: Power consumers in for a shock

Srikakulam: The consumers in the district are a worried lot due to excess bills issued by the AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL).

In the wake of lockdown, meter reading was not done during the month of April for the consumption period-March 8 to April 8.

Now, the APEPDCL calculated bills for two months from March 8 to May 8 as a result more units are recorded and it is leading to excess billing due to varied slab rates.

APEPDCL has fixed different tariffs for power consumption for 30 days on the basis of slab rates. Up to 50 units the slab rate is for per unit Rs 1.45 paisa.

From 51 up to 100 units tariff for per unit is Rs 2.60 paisa. From 101 up to 200 units slab rate is Rs 3.60 paisa. For more than 200 units, rate per unit is Rs 6.90 paisa.

For instance, G Sarojini of Eedupuram in Ithcapuram mandal had been paying Rs 260 and Rs 300 every month before lock down.

Now, she has received a bill for Rs 2,919 for two months despite having just three lights, two fans and a refrigerator. She alleged that bill calculated as 620 units would cost dearly.

"We are clearing doubts of customers over excess billing and rectifying mistakes if any, reported through our electricity revenue officers (ERO) at Srikakulam, Palasa, Palakonda, Rajam and Tekkali in the district and consumers can consult the EROs if they received excess bills," APEPDCL senior accounts officer P Thathacharyulu told to The Hans India.