In wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has asked utilities to suspend all non-essential activities related to power supply, including meter-reading and bill-payment at various centers. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has also stated that due dates of every bill will be accounted only after the 21-day lockdown ends.
In a directive issued on Thursday, MERC asked utilities to suspend activities like meter-reading, billing, visiting consumer premises, meeting consumers in person, bill collection at payment centers and release of new connections.
The regulatory body has stated that with no meter readings, estimated bills must be computed on an average basis. A source close to the development said that estimated bills as per electricity supply code regulations are taken as the average billing of three months.
