Maharashtra Consumers fume over hefty power bills during lockdown

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) and Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) have drawn flak from consumers, citizens’ organisations and political parties over hefty power bills during the lockdown.

Though state Energy Minister Nitin Raut has said consumers will get 2 per cent rebate in their June bills, this has been dismissed by consumer organisations.

MERC, the regulatory body, on Tuesday directed distribution companies like MSEDCL and others to allow consumers to pay their bills in three installments. MERC, however, found nothing wrong with the bills issued by MSEDCL. “The bills were raised on actual meter readings for summer months when consumption is normally higher,” MERC said in a statement.