People irked by ‘Faulty Power Billing System’ in Meghalaya

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: Irked by the inconsistent electricity billing system by the Feedback Energy Distribution Corporation (FEDCO) Ltd, the traditional heads and social organizations of South West Khasi Hills district have come out in unison to demand the termination of the contract between the company and the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MPDCL).

FEDCO limited has been assigned by the MPDCL to improve the efficiency of power supply and revenue generation and “instead of becoming a boon, it has turned into a bane”, stated the members of the Mawkyrwat Electricity Consumers Forum (MECF) on Friday. The fact-finding team constituted by the Deputy Commissioner of the district points out some of the anomalies in energy bills – there are households whose bill touches Rs 56,000 per month while there are others where the electricity bills is only Rs 152.

“This inconsistency in the billing system reflects the malfunctioning of FEDCO and it is our rural populace that are suffering,” stated the MECF.

“Flaws are galore in the operating agency that has made us to demand the termination of the contract between the MPDCL and FEDCO”, stated the leader of the forum Wanlamboh Syiemiong, even as he cited an example where the residents of village called Phlangmawprah keep on getting the electricity bills when they have been living with any power for the past five months.

Reminding that during the April, 2019 public hearing, the public has made it clear that they are against FEDCO taking over the entire billing process, Syiemiong further added that they will give the State Department of Power two months time to comply with their demands before thinking of action befitting the general interest of the public.

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