Photo : Messenger
Rural electricity consumers in the Baganchra area of Jashore are up in arms against the Palli Bidyut Samity for alleged irregularities in billing practices. Consumers have accused the officials and employees of the Baganchra sub-zonal office under Jashore Palli Bidyut Samity-1 of not taking monthly meter readings and failing to deliver electricity bills on time.
The situation has reportedly been ongoing for several months, with customers complaining that despite raising their concerns, no action has been taken to rectify the issue. The last date for payment of electricity bills in the Jamtala area of Baganchra is the 26th of every month, yet as of Friday, May 24, residents claim they have not received their bill for May.
Lechi Yasmin, a local resident, expressed frustration with the meter readers, stating that they do not come every month but only occasionally, leading to estimated billing that often imposes additional charges on consumers. "We cannot pay the actual bill because they do not take the meter reading," she said.
Salim Reza of Samta village accused the authorities of deliberately underreporting electricity usage for a few months and then overcharging by billing with actual units, particularly in the months of June and December. "This is like Sharatbabu Shubhankar's evasion," he said.
The issue is not limited to residential consumers. Hafizur Rahman, the treasurer of Jamtala Jame Masjid, mentioned that the mosque did not receive its electricity bill for April and has yet to receive the bill for May, despite the payment deadline being May 26.
Sohail Rana and Golam Rabbani of Baganchra Union echoed similar complaints, with Rabbani stating that he was billed 12,738 taka without a meter reading, based on an incorrect assumption that his house had an air conditioner.
Shamim Ahmed of Tengra village highlighted the delay in receiving bill papers, suggesting that some electricians in the village act as intermediaries for bill distribution, which further delays the process.
When confronted with these allegations, AGM Gazi Sohrab Hossain of the Baganchra sub-zonal office acknowledged the problem, attributing the delays to the recent arrival of a new bill reader who may take time to familiarize themselves with the area. He assured that the issue would be resolved promptly.
The situation has sparked a debate about the efficiency and transparency of rural electricity billing practices, with consumers demanding a more reliable and accountable system.
Messenger/Fameema
