Power shocker for local trader

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 3

Raja Harmeet Singh Batra, a local businessman and resident of posh Mall Road, was in for a shock, when he received this month’s electricity bill.

The Powercom authorities handed over a bill of Rs11.54 lakh for power consumption at his residence. What was more surprising was that he had solar panel installed at his house.

“Usually, we get a power bill between Rs2,000 and Rs3,000 maximum. But this month’s bill has left me perplexed and that, too, when the state is reeling under severe power shortage. We are still struggling to understand the latest instructions of the Punjab Government,” he said.

He said: “We were calling the PSPCL authorities for getting clarity on the new instructions as to what should be done and on what days the industry has been asked to remain shut. In between, we got this power bill at my residence. The bill number 1003392738 showed a consumption of 1,347 units. The amount payable by the due date against the bill was Rs11,54,770.

“I fail to understand how the power corporation billed such hefty amount without taking into account the fact that we have solar panel installed at our house and the department is aware of this,” he said. “I will ask my staff to reach the Civil Line Division for rectification of the bill,” he said.

PSPCL officials, meanwhile, feigned ignorance over the same and said the consumer should approach the office concerned and a rectified bill would be issued to him. This must be some software glitch and would be looked into, they said.