Contrary to claims of APDCL, CM accepts that unreasonable electricity bill is due to faulty readings in some smart meters

way2barak, Sept.16: The electricity bill issued to the consumers this month has invited sharp criticism of APDCL. Many consumers even took to social media platforms to air their grievance.  However, on 15 September, 2022, Chief General Manager (CGM), PP&D of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), Silchar issued a written statement “Information for all Consumers of APDCL”, wherein he stated that the claims made on social media and news dailies about hike in electricity bill are misleading. The CGM of APDCL further wrote, “The increase in monthly electricity bills in the recent months can be attributed to the fact that there has been significant increase in electricity consumption in the month of July and August 2022 due to scorching heat and less rain compared to the previous months.”

Surprisingly, within 24 hours of the issue of this statement by APDCL, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma came up with a diametrically opposite statement. CM Dr Sarma too stated that there has been no hike in power tariff, but at the same time he stated that unreasonable bill amounts have come in from consumers which is due to faulty readings in some of the newly installed smart meters. He further assured that he has already instructed APDCL officials to immediately fix the faulty smart meters.

There has been no hike in power tariff but instances of unreasonable bill amounts have come in from consumers which is due to faulty readings in some of the newly installed smart meters. Instructed @apdclsocial to urgently fix the faulty smart meters and address public grievances

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 16, 2022

Taking to his twitter handle on Friday, the Chief Minister wrote, “There has been no hike in power tariff but instances of unreasonable bill amounts have come in from consumers which is due to faulty readings in some of the newly installed smart meters. Instructed @apdclsocial to urgently fix the faulty smart meters and address public grievances.”

A very important information related to Smart Meters to our valued consumers….@CMOfficeAssam @GorlosaNandita pic.twitter.com/qzQDbMKQBx

— APDCL (@apdclsocial) September 16, 2022

The statement by APDCL on 15 September stated, “The statement read, “It has come to our notice that various news items / articles are being published in various news dailies as well as social media platforms regarding increase in electricity bills due to the installation of Smart Meters. Please be informed that installation of smart meters does not lead to increase in electricity bills. Smart Meters are electronic meters with two-way communication capability for remote reading of meters. There are no differences between old static electronic meters and new smart meters regarding measurement of electricity as both of them follow the same BIS standards for electrical metrology i.e., IS 13779.”

But whatever may be the official explanation of APDCL, the written statement failed to have any convincing effect upon the consumers. Consumers were reluctant to digest the claims made by APDCL in its official statement issued on Thursday. Now with the acceptance of “unreasonable bill amounts due to faulty readings in some of the newly installed smart meters” by the Chief Minister himself, the consumers may be assured that their grievances will be redressed. 

Also Read: Consumers complain about absurd hike in electricity bill, APDCL clarifies it as misleading claim