MK Stalin flags excess EB billing, seeks longer payment window

CHENNAI: DMK president MK Stalin on Friday urged the State government to extend the deadline for payment of electricity bills until complaints regarding the revised billing process are resolved, citing concerns about an exorbitant rise in fares.

Stalin alleged that consumers across the State were facing widespread confusion over electricity bills and criticised the TVK-led government for its handling of the issue.

"When the TVK government assumed office, the State witnessed frequent power outages. Now, consumers are facing problems with electricity billing," he said.

Stalin claimed that the government had acknowledged complaints from 3.70 lakh electricity consumers regarding excessive or erroneous bills, adding that the actual number of affected consumers could be much higher. "Many more consumers may have been affected but have not yet raised their voices against the excessive bills," he said.

He appealed to the State government to extend the payment deadline until all billing-related issues are resolved. Stalin also urged the authorities to ensure that meter readings are taken accurately and that electricity bills are generated transparently and free of errors.

Responding to the allegations, Minister for Energy and Law R Nirmalkumar said routine inspections were being carried out wherever consumers reported excessive electricity bills. He maintained that complaints had declined compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to the minister, 9.60 lakh complaints of excessive electricity bills were registered during the corresponding period this year, compared with 11.50 lakh complaints during the same period last year.

"The former Chief Minister's statement is misleading. Officials of the Electricity Board are verifying excessive bills, and the exercise will be completed within a week. Any errors found will be rectified in the next billing cycle," Nirmalkumar said, claiming that 3.70 lakh complaints were a false claim by the DMK chief.