SHILLONG: The Office of the Maulakandi Power Supply Monitoring Committee, along with consumers of Moulakandi, Gandhimari and Goladigli of Garo Hills, which come under Phulbari Sub-Division MePDCL (FEDCO), has asked for exemption from interest in the electricity bills, which were issued prior to FEDCO taking over the services of MePDCL.
The committee, in a letter to the Sub-Divisional Manager, Phulbari MePDCL (FEDCO), said that the MePDCL (FEDCO) under Phulbari Sub-Division has completely shut down power supply in some villages in plain areas due to previous outstanding. However, the power supply was restored after few days, it added.
The committee said that in the billing receipt, the interest is more than the regular bill. “The consumers are ready to pay the dues, but it has become difficult to pay all the previous outstanding at a time when there is incessant increase of interest,” it said.
“We are all aware of the fact that every year, at least one month, there is complete shutdown of power supply due to floods. Therefore, we suffer from poor or irregular supply of power because of which the consumers did not pay the bills regularly. But now, the power supply department is emphasising on collecting previous outstanding bills rather than on regularly supplying power,” the letter said.
It is wanted that the way the department forces the consumers to pay on time and with extra charges, in the same way, they should also supply the power, it added.
The committee urged the sub-divisional manager to adopt all possible ways to stop adding interest and completely exempt the interest in bills issued prior to MEPDCL privatisation.
