Chennai consumers facing difficulties now due to the additional security deposit on electricity bills
Posted on: 13/May/2021 9:33:02 AM
The household incomes have gone down in this second Covid-19 infection wave. In this difficult stage, Tangedco has started periodic revision of domestic consumer security deposit amounts. This has now led to many getting huge electricity bills.
Based on the average bi-monthly billing amount, the security deposit would be revised every alternative year is known. It is now brought out that many consumers whose EB charges went up in the lockdown and subsequent WFH would not be caught unawares regarding the additional security deposit that has been levied. The consumers would come to know about this when they make payments for their routine bi-monthly electricity charge.
It was pointed by a resident belonging to Ice House that he received a SMS on his mobile regarding current consumption charge of Rs 3100 that he had to pay before the due date on 13th May 2021.He spoke about how when he tried to pay the bill using PAYTM a due amount of Rs 7060 was shown. Point is that he did not have any pending dues on his power connection.
He concluded that after logging on to Tangedco website he came to know about the additional security deposit of Rs 3960 charged for him. The Tangedco did not bother to communicate about the additional security changes to the consumers.
The Coronavirus infection pandemic has been making the lives very difficult now for many and total lockdown has been imposed in TN. In this scenario, many consumers have now taken to social media to express their feelings about the additional security amount that is being collected by Tangedco. They have mentioned that TNEB is collecting an amount of Rs 1200 as additional security deposit money this month apart from the normal electricity bill. Not considering the public before deciding to collect the additional amount did not go down well with the consumers.
As per a senior officer belonging to Tangedco, the adequacy of security deposit is reviewed and re-fixed once in 2 years in case of low tension consumers with bi-monthly billing during April/May. He explained that the additional security deposit is levied automatically depending on their consumption pattern and security deposit available once in 2 years.
It must be noted that due to the present Coronavirus infection second wave in TN further course of action with respect to additional security deposit process has been kept in abeyance until further orders. Point is that on 10th May, a circular memo was issued in this regard.
