NONGSTOIN: Villagers in West Khasi Hills are receiving exorbitant electricity bills despite load shedding and several power cuts in a day.
The locals are questioning the MePDCL if the problem is due to faulty meter or they are just over charging their customers.
Some Nongkasen villagers were shocked to receive their electricity bills amounting to Rs 25, 000 for five months while others received between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
Most of the houses have only 6 to 7 light bulbs and a TV with some of them using heaters, however, the amount charged is much higher than what they consumed, villagers alleged.
A resident of Nongkasen said they received a bill of Rs 800 for three months last year, but now the bill has reached Rs 6500 for five months.
The villagers are facing immense pressure in finding work to buy essentials during the lockdown and getting the MePDCL bill is adding pressure on them financially.
“These days, we worry about providing food to our children and when we saw the electricity bill, it has doubled our tension,” T Marngar, a resident of Nongkasen said.
When asked about the high electricity bills the villagers are receiving, P Wahlang (SDO) of MEPDCL, Nongstoin told media persons that there is no foul play as the bill was charged according to the meter and every household will have to pay accordingly.
‘The office will not compromise but they can pay in installment because people are in a tough situation because of the lockdown,’ he added.
However, the villagers are not satisfied with the clarification and they suspected a meter malfunction or foul play from the office.
‘’Ít is impossible that a household with only 6 to 7 bulbs is getting the same bill as saw mill factories,’ the villagers said.
The people of Nongstoin also raised the issue of power disruption 7 to 8 times a day as they are facing difficulties especially students who study through internet (e-education) and people who work from home during the lockdown.
he people also asked the authorities to change the load shedding timing to 4.30 am to 6. 30 am as students, who are preparing for HSSLC exams, are facing difficulties.