Electricity consumers in India report high bills and digital meter issues

Electricity consumers in India are raising significant concerns regarding digital meter reading systems and rising utility costs. In Dimapur, residents have reported difficulties with a system that requires them to photograph and submit their own meter readings, noting that the cessation of door-to-door departmental readings has led to billing discrepancies and accumulated charges that can exceed usual amounts tenfold.

In Panaji, the electricity department reported receiving 2,469 complaints regarding incorrect billing, high bills, and meter issues during the current accounting year. Power Minister Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar attributed spikes in consumption to extreme summer heat, increased use of cooling appliances, higher induction cooking due to the global oil crisis, and electric vehicle charging. To mitigate issues, the department has withdrawn certain penalties and adjusted bills, noting that domestic tariffs remain lower than the cost of supply due to cross-subsidization from commercial and industrial sectors.