Power department to remove meters of bill defaulters

The state power distribution company has directed its officials to remove electricity meters of 15,000 bill defaulters in the city in an attempt to recover dues, as non-recovery of bills has created a revenue deficit, officials familiar with the matter said

The state power distribution company has directed its officials to remove electricity meters of 15,000 bill defaulters in the city in an attempt to recover dues, as non-recovery of bills has created a revenue deficit, officials familiar with the matter said.

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Officials of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) said that over 15,000 consumers have not paid the electricity bills for over two cycles (four months), which roughly amounts to a revenue gap of ₹30 crore.

Manoj Yadav, superintending engineer, DHBVN, Circle 1, said that they aim to make defaulters pay their bills by March-end. He said that officials will be making phone calls or be visiting the premises of defaulters. “If consumers fail to clear their dues or part of it within the given time period, we will disconnect the power supply to them and remove the meters from their premises,” he said.

Officials said that the drive would continue till April-end, with the power supply to 5,000 defaulters, who owe ₹8 crore to the DHBVN, has already been disconnected.

Residents across the city have previously complained of inflated electricity bills, with many having received more than double the amount they had paid for the corresponding period last year. Residents alleged that the problem has intensified since the DHBVN started issuing bills based on average consumption, following the installation of smart meters. It has also been alleged that the slow dispute resolution system of the power corporation has left them in the lurch. Several protests had taken place across the city last year due to the inflated bills.

DHBVN caters to approximately 400,000 consumers in the city. As per official figures, 300,000 consumers are domestic users while the remaining comprises commercial, small power, medium supply, large supply, and bulk supply users. On average, the department generates annual revenue of ₹500 crore.

Yadav said that they disconnected power after repeated notices elicited no payment. “If the payment is not made, DHBVN would have no option but to disconnect power. The consumer has to make the payment in every cycle and only then the electricity will be restored,” he said.

The number of defaulters generally ranges between 6,000 and 8,000, and it has increased this time around, he said.

A senior official said they have found that many consumers who rented properties had shifted their locations without paying their bills.