Paul-led JAC delegation meets Power Minister
SHILLONG: Following a meeting with Power Minister Clement R Marak, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said that the former has assured that the MeECL would take all possible steps to ensure that electricity bills are generated on a monthly basis.
Lyngdoh, who led the delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Opposition and the various Dorbar Shnong of the city and adjoining areas during a meeting with Marak on Thursday, said the minister was apprised of the current unsystematic billing system and was urged to rectify it.
The UDP working president also said that the shortcoming of the spot billing system was also made known to the Power Minister.
“We understand that there will be some hiccups since the MeECL is trying to bring in a new system. But consumers should not be made to suffer on account of the transition,” Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh informed that the JAC delegation has also urged Marak to ensure that the spot billing system is fixed so as to generate bills on a monthly basis.
Currently bills are generated between a period of 40 to 50 days or even more under the spot billing system in certain localities thus burdening the consumers.
“Under unavoidable circumstances, when spot billing is made for two months or more, an extension period should be given (to the consumers) besides giving them the provision to make payments in installments without any penalty,” the UDP working president said.
Pointing out that tariff charges do not reflect in the sheet generated under the spot billing system Lyngdoh said, “A separate chart should be generated simultaneously indicating tariff charges while generating bills under the spot billing system enabling the consumers to calculate and satisfy themselves.”
He also called for hiring of more meter readers to ensure that bills are generated within a 30-day period.
He said that fixed charges should not be levied more than 12 times in a calendar year and refund should be made to the consumer if it exceeds the limit.
“Entry of card meter by meter readers should be made mandatory,” the UDP working president said.
The JAC delegation also suggested that the Public Grievances Cell and Complaint Cell be revamped to make them more responsive. The Cell should also be equipped with modernized mechanisms like IVRS and online payment system, he said, adding that contact numbers of the concerned officers should be made public and the Cell should be in a centralized location and be active for at least five days a month to help customers voice their grievances.
The UDP working president also said that they have also suggested the opening of extension counters by MeECL in different localities in order to ease the queues.
The MeECL should appoint contractors for maintenance of street lights, the UDP working president suggested.
