For several decades all electricity consumers were paying a ‘small amount’ towards meter rent that varied from Rs 20 to 30 crores of rupees have been garnered by the Goa Electricity department. Now because of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) we thank the department for discontinuing the meter rent charge from April 1, 2023. The other matters of concern in the bill are the Fixed charges (FC), Sundry charges (SC) and Electricity duty (ED). It is absurd that ‘fixed’ charges fluctuate every month and varies with the units used. Bill the consumers for the actual units used else consumers end up paying FC and for energy consumed. If a house is unoccupied for more than 3 months or given in writing by a consumer that it will remain closed for a long time, then the department could bill FC. What is SC and why is it charged? The government pays the meter readers for their duty, then why charge the consumers for the ED? The JERC should now direct the electricity department to stop charging the consumers for FC, SC and ED.
