Workers installing smart meter (file)
– Photo : Samvad
Expansion
Only a month has passed since smart prepaid meters were installed in some colonies of Moradabad, but the problems of electricity consumers have increased. In the first month itself, these meters have started issuing wrong bills.
Now consumers are visiting the offices of Electricity Corporation for amendments in these. These meters have been installed in colonies like Ramganga Vihar Colony, Ashiana, Ekta Vihar, Mansarovar etc. Authorities have received most of the complaints from Ramganga Vihar.
People have received bills of Rs 30,000 each from the smart meter on a two kilowatt connection. Whereas there were no readings left from the old meter and the bills were also deposited on time. Corporation officials have admitted that initially this problem occurred with some consumers.
This is being improved, with new prepaid meters gradually being upgraded into the system. At the same time, people have raised the question that if after running for a few months the smart meter again starts making fast readings, then where will they complain. On this, the corporation has argued that the officials have also installed prepaid meters in their homes. Such problem will not arise in future.
Case-1
The house of Manjula Rani, a resident of EWS triple storey in Ramganga Vihar, has a two kilowatt electricity connection. He told that a prepaid meter was installed in his house in September. The bill received on Sunday showed 4500 units.
Its bill has come to Rs 29355. The family members got worried when so much bill arrived just before Diwali. When he went to the power house and complained to the JE, he assured to get the bill amended.
Case-2
Rishi Malhotra, resident of Ashiana Colony, has a three kilowatt electricity connection. Smart prepaid meter was also installed in his house in September. Rishi told that when he saw the electricity bill on Saturday, he was surprised.
A bill has been made for 6000 units in a month. Its amount is said to be Rs 39122. He immediately contacted the JE of the power house and informed about the wrong bill. He has received assurance from the power house about bill amendment.
There are two lakh consumers in the city. At present, less than 10 thousand consumers have new prepaid meters installed. Initially there is a problem regarding billing. This is being rectified, such problems will be eliminated in future. – Vijay Kumar Gupta, Superintending Engineer
