Residents of Navi Mumbai’s Sanpada node have raised concerns over the alleged installation of smart meters without their knowledge while also claiming that the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is disconnecting their electricity without prior notice, even in cases where consumers claim to have paid their bills online.
Roshni Banerjee, assistant engineer at MSEDCL, stated the government-owned company informs consumers well in advance before carrying out any disconnection. well in advance before any disconnection is carried out.
“Before disconnecting electricity connections, consumers are informed through SMS on their registered mobile numbers 15 days before the due date. If a consumer has paid through Google Pay on July 25 and the payment has not been updated, MSEDCL may proceed with disconnection. Google Pay is a third-party payment platform, and consumers should check with Google Pay if the payment is delayed,” Banerjee told mid-day.
Maloji Sakharam Kadam, 77, a resident of Shiv-Kutir Society and SB Gandhi, a resident of Triveni Apartment
Replying to a query on the allegations that smart meters were being installed without informing consumers, Banerjee stated that the utility replaces meters only under specific circumstances. “Smart meters are installed only when the existing meter is faulty. Such replacement is done to ensure accurate billing,” she said.
‘I was never informed’
Maloji Sakharam Kadam, 77, a resident of Shiv-Kutir Society, alleged that his electricity connection was disconnected after he failed to pay his bill as he had not received a printed bill for nearly two months. He further claimed that MSEDCL replaced his regular electricity meter with a smart meter without informing him or obtaining his consent.
“I was never informed before my old meter was replaced. Since then, I have not been receiving printed electricity bills at my residence. My power supply was abruptly cut because I was unaware of the due date. My neighbour later helped me pay the bill online, after which the power was restored,” he said. He has also written to the MSEDCL seeking an explanation for the replacement of the meter without intimation and requesting that printed bills continue to be delivered at his residence.
Error in digital payments?
Residents also questioned MSEDCL’s handling of digital payments. One consumer alleged that despite paying an outstanding electricity bill of R22,780 through Google Pay on July 25, the payment did not immediately reflect in MSEDCL’s system. According to the consumer, the electricity supply was disconnected despite showing the payment receipt.
“We showed the Google Pay transaction, but the staff said they had orders from senior officers to disconnect the supply because the payment was not visible in their system. They even advised us not to pay through Google Pay,” the consumer alleged.
Official Speak
Roshni Banerjee, assistant engineer at MSEDCL, stated the government-owned company informs consumers well in advance before carrying out any disconnection. “Before disconnecting electricity connections, consumers are informed through SMS on their registered mobile numbers 15 days before the due date. If a consumer has paid through Google Pay on July 25 and the payment has not been updated, MSEDCL may proceed with disconnection. Google Pay is a third-party payment platform, and consumers should check with Google Pay if the payment is delayed,” Banerjee told mid-day.
On allegations that smart meters are being installed without informing consumers, Banerjee said the utility replaces meters only under specific circumstances. “Smart meters are installed only when the existing meter is faulty. Such replacement is done to ensure accurate billing,” she claimed.
* This article was originally published here
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