Are Electricity Meters Correct? What Happens To Security Deposits? Odisha Utility Hit By Slew Of RTI Queries

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of proposed disconnection drive of Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) over pending electricity dues, Jan Jagran Manch today opposed the move and threatened for agitation if the ‘anti-people’ order is not withdrawn within 24 hours.

Raising doubts over the efficacy of the digital meters installed and whether the security deposits made by consumers are being adjusted in bills or not, several Right To Information (RTI) activists also filed RTI applications at CESU today.

“Last month, CESU had asked consumers to pay their pending bills and threatened to disconnect power supply from January 16. After review, we found that power supply in over 11,000 villages will be disconnected. It is surprising that the consumers mostly in rural areas are not being provided bills on monthly basis and the discom is not able to provide electricity round the clock,” said Jan Jagran Manch president, Choudhry Prabhat Keshari Mishra.

Mishra further alleged the outfit wants to know whether the digital meters installed are certified ones or not and when the next calibration will be done.

Similarly, there is confusion whether the security deposits made by consumers are being adjusted in bills or not. Hence, many have filed RTI queries in this regard today.

“Despite several irregularities, the CESU officials are threatening to disconnect power supply which is an essential service. There will be mass agitation if the concerned authorities do not withdraw the anti-people order within 24 hours,” Mishra added.

RTI activist, Pradip Pradhan said, “It is really unfortunate the way CESU is treating its consumers as criminals. The government needs to be more sensible and it is the CESU officials and staff who are responsible for the problems being faced by consumers in rural areas of the State.”

Meanwhile, CESU officials could not be contacted over the allegations.

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