Consumers' Club on power crisis
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 07, 2011:
While lauding the steps of the electricity department, the Consumers' Club Manipur appealed to the department to collect default dues from the state government's departments who are the major defaulters.
In a press release, the club stated that electricity consumers in the state are facing inconveniences due to the poor policy of the power department.
Although they are unsatisfied with the department they have refrained from complaining to the department.
Stating that the reasons behind non reacting consumers to be a lack of awareness of a consumer's right, the release appealed to power consumers in the state to lodge complaints to the department.
It stated that PHED, MAHUD, IFCD, Health Department and even the Power Department have due bill amounts of Rs.7.85 crores, Rs.3.07 crores, Rs.2.39 crores, Rs.99 lakhs and Rs.27 lakhs respectively as on October 2010.However the department is not doing anything to realize the due amounts and has instead been conducting crackdowns on the poor public only.
It further alleged that the department does not apply regular tariffs in the whole state.
Citing examples, it stated that the department is charging Rs.410 per month in Kongba Sub Division area, Rs.318 per month in Khurai area and Rs.195 in Heingang area.
Such uneven tariffs coupled with poor supply of electricity to the consumers are the main causes of the huge amount of due bills.
Moreover, the department's officials are not conducting proper metre readings and send bills only once or twice a year in most parts of the state which makes it difficult for the consumers to clear their bills, it stated.