Punjab: PSPCL suspends power disconnections for defaulting consumers over incorrect, inflated electricity bills

According to an official memo issued by the Director/Distribution, PSPCL, Patiala, recent developmentsincluding a strike by meter readers and the ongoing migration from SAP/Non-SAP systems to the Oracle-based SBS systemhave resulted in numerous consumers being billed on an average or assumptive basis.

"It has been observed that, due to the strike of meter readers in the recent past and the ongoing migration of SAP/Non-SAP systems to the Oracle-based SBS system, a number of DS consumers have been billed on an average/assumptive basis. Consequently, some consumers have received incorrect/inflated bills & numerous complaints are being received in field offices," the memo read.

Consequently, many consumers received incorrect and inflated electricity bills, leading to a surge of complaints at field offices. Because these flawed bills reflected large outstanding amounts, automated or manual processes had marked these consumer connections for power disconnection, causing widespread resentment among the public.

Acknowledging that the arrears were a result of erroneous billing rather than actual consumption, PSPCL has decided that the disconnection of DS consumer connections on account of defaults will be kept in abeyance with immediate effect.

The relief will remain in place until the stabilisation of the new SBS billing system and the correction of all incorrect or inflated bills. All field offices have been strictly directed to ensure immediate compliance with the new orders, bringing temporary respite to consumers facing inflated electricity dues.

"It has been decided that disconnection of DS consumer connections on account of default may be kept in abeyance with immediate effect, till stabilisation of the SBS system and correction of such incorrect/inflated bills," the memo said. (ANI)