Gurgaon residents protest steep power bills, want hidden taxes gone

Residents who have been hit hard by the steep hike in their electricity bills continued to show their resentment and make complaints against the state-run power distribution company, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam.

Residents who have been hit hard by the steep hike in their electricity bills continued to show their resentment and make complaints against the state-run power distribution company, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN).

Consumers have complained that the discom is charging various unexplained taxes in the bill. They also said the new slab introduced by the HERC is a mere eyewash. (HT file photo)

According to residents, various unexplained taxes have been levied on them, making power cost Rs 10 per unit in the city.

Aggrieved consumers complained that the discom is charging taxes, including sundry charges, fuel surcharge adjustment, energy charges, electricity duty and municipal tax along with the bill. No explanation has been given to them in this regard.

“All taxes levied by the discom are unexplained. The discom has been charging extra from us for the past four months. We had already been paying the municipal tax and now they have added various other taxes to the bills,” said Arvind Chadha, a resident.

The consumers further alleged that the new slab introduced by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) is a mere eyewash. They said benefits of lower prices will only be given to those using less than 800 units after which a uniform rate of Rs 6.75 per unit will be applicable.

Official data suggests that the average electricity consumption per month in a household in Gurgaon is more than 800 units.

According to the revised plan, for a total consumption of 801 units and above, a single tariff would apply.

“The discom has started charging fuel surcharge adjustment at a high rate of Rs 1.69 per unit on consuming more than 500 units. In addition to this, we also pay municipal and duty tax,” said Maan Singh, president of Sector 31 RWA.

Consumers also said the government should focus on bringing more efficiency in the functioning of the power transmission and distribution companies. They said the inefficiency of the companies was the major cause for price hike.

Superintending engineer of DHBVN Sanjeev Chopra said, “The rate had been increased in April, but since we did not charge the consumers then, it is being collected in the months thereafter as arrears. Once the pending dues are paid, bills will come back to normal.”