Nagpur: The consumers, who are already feeling the heat due to the soaring prices of fuels and other essential commodities, now have received a rude shock from the MSEDCL in the form of an additional security deposit.
According to the MSEDCL authorities, the security deposit is being revised in accordance with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission Power Supply Code 2021. Consumers are supposed to deposit the additional amount in six installments.
No sooner had the new financial year begun than the electricity consumers began receiving bills seeking enhanced security deposit, which is two times more than the average monthly bill. Initially, the bills left the consumers seething and befuddled as they started approaching nearby MSEDCL offices to seek clarity.
According to sources, the MSEDCL consumers will get two bills this month — one for the bill payment and another bill for the additional security deposit. While consumers have expressed surprise over the security deposit payment, officials said that this was as per the order of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. The state-run power utility is offering a six-month installment facility for payment of the security deposit so that consumers get the convenience, sources said.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has started recovering the additional security deposit from consumers and has allowed the consumers to pay the desired amount in six installments.
An SMS has been sent to the registered mobile number of the consumers informing them that the deposit can be paid in installments. The amount is charged as per the directives of the MERC, an official statement issued by the state power utility said.
