Gujarat Family Shocked by Rs.20 Lakh Electricity Bill Due to Technical Error Amid Rising Power Costs
Gujarat Family Shocked by ₹20 Lakh Electricity Bill Due to Technical Error Amid Rising Power Costs
This year, a surge in inflated electricity bills has left consumers across India reeling, with recent incidents highlighting the severity of the issue. In Gujarat, the Patel family experienced an extraordinary shock when they received a bill amounting to Rs 20 lakh for the June-July 2024 billing cycle.
The Patel family, consisting of four members, was stunned by the staggering amount from South Gujarat Power Company, given their minimal use of electrical appliances. Panktiben Patel, who works at a petrol pump, described their typical electricity use as limited to four bulbs, four fans, a refrigerator, and a television. “We have four bulbs, four fans, a fridge, and a TV. Three of us are out working all day,” Patel said. She added, “We always pay our bills on time, and this error has caused us significant distress.”
Upon discovering the erroneous bill, the Patel family promptly contacted the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB). Initially, they were required to file a formal complaint and pay a processing fee. However, their issue was swiftly resolved after a GEB official identified a meter reading error. “The family received the corrected bill within an hour,” an outlet reported.
The Patel family’s experience reflects a broader issue affecting many households across India. In Uttar Pradesh, a family residing in a kutcha house with a tin roof was similarly distressed after receiving an inflated bill of ₹3.9 lakh. They had not received any bills for several months and were shocked when they finally received an unusually high charge. An official familiar with the case stated that the inflated bill was due to a technical glitch and that it would be fixed soon. Srikant Rangeela, media in-charge of Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (Kesco), explained, “Due to the changes made to the server of Kesco, some of the electricity meters have developed technical faults, due to which correct data could not be registered.”
As consumers continue to face such challenges, the call for more reliable and transparent billing practices becomes increasingly critical.
