KSEB’s Rs 5,714 bill for locked house shocks director Madhupal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many people have come out against the Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd (KSEB) after being charged with hefty electricity bills during Covid-19. Criticism has risen as many houses which remained locked during the period were charged heavily. Actor-director K Madhupal received a power bill of `5,714 for the past three months though his house was locked. After he raised a complaint, KSEB reduced the bill to `300 on Monday.

Madhupal’s house at Mannanmoola, which comes under the Peroorkada section, was left vacant as it required some maintenance. The bill of `5,714 was charged for a period from February 12 to June 4. Madhupal complained to KSEB chairman N S Pillai regarding this on Sunday, with the latter explaining that the bill would be calculated based on the average of the previous three months if the board is unable to take the electronic meter reading.“That’s a norm followed by the KSEB. However, the bill had a clear mention that the ‘door was locked’,” said Madhupal.