KOLKATA: State power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay has advised consumers in Kolkata to wait for a revised June bill from CESC and assured that no one will be penalised or have their services disconnected for delay in payment. The CESC will send consumers details of their revised bills through SMS and e-mails as most bills for June have already been dispatched.
“The CESC has decided to keep the earlier June bill in abeyance and prepare a fresh bill for the month. It is now working on how to calculate it. Those who haven’t paid the bill can wait. Most consumers are likely to get the advantage of rate slabs and government duty if bills are prepared on a monthly basis. The due date will be extended to ensure consumers get the rebate,” the minister said after a meeting with CESC officials on Monday.
Officials of the power utility were summoned by Chattopadhyay to explain how energy charges had been calculated for April, May and June following allegations that the inflated June bill, that included dues for the two previous months, was a result of more units being charged at a higher slab rate. After CESC officials explained the computation, the minister acknowledged the billing process was not “faulty”.
CESC has put on its website a calculator for consumers to check their bill details and see how the slab benefit has been provided.
