MERC to investigate discrepancies in Mumbai electricity bills

This is contrary to the statement given by the regulator on June 29. In its statement earlier MERC had said that it had conducted a detailed review of the matter with the heads of all four power companies, Adani Electricity, Tata Power, MSEDCL, BEST, and outlined why the bills were okay.

MERC has given time to consumers to pay the amount in instalments. In its statement, it clarified, "During the lockdown period, bills were raised on average consumption of three months prior to March 2020 which being winter months, the consumption is invariably low and therefore average bills were of a lower amount. The present bills raised on actual meter readings are of the summer months where the consumption is normally high and the bills are always of higher amounts. Hence the balance amount payable after adjusting the average bill amounts for each of the three months March, April and May have led to a higher bill that was issued in June. 9."

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MERC has taken note of measures being taken by the utilities to redress consumer grievances and directed the utilities to further enhance the transparency and set up a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure that the specific grievances of consumers are promptly responded.