It has been noted that power consumers have been charged very high penal charges disproportionate to their consumption. I have come across many bills wherein the penal charges (energy charges) are to the extent of Rs 2,000 to Rs 7,000 and though the government has suspended smart meter rollout and has ordered verification of power connections and has said that no disconnections will be resorted to and that consumers have been told not to pay disputed bills. On June 15 a consumer went to Bambolim because the penal charges (energy charges) were Rs 4,620, the consumer was told that if she did not pay the amount, then their power line would be disconnected. It is true that at the peak season when LPG was scarce and people started using electrical appliances, that electricity bills should have increased but surely not to the extent of a few thousand rupees due to load factors. The government should immediately issue an order to provide a grace period for those who have to pay inflated bills pending verification, even if the exercise is cumbersome.
