Electricity bill of Tk 692 before meter installation shocks resident

A Jamalpur resident, Nimai Chandra Sarkar, has expressed shock after receiving an electricity bill of Tk 692 in his name before a new meter was installed. The bill was issued even though the meter connection had not been activated, raising questions over the billing system and oversight of the power department.

The incident occurred in the Tegharia Bazar area of Charpakerdah union in Madarganj upazila.

Nimai Chandra Sarkar said he currently has two residential and two commercial meters at his house. He applied for an additional meter connection, but before the new meter was installed or electricity supply started, a bill of Tk 692 arrived in his name.

A visit to the spot on Friday, September 4, showed that four meters were already installed at his house. A wiring board was ready for the new meter, but no meter had been installed and no electricity was being used through that connection. Yet, a total of five electricity bills were generated in his name, including the August bill of Tk 692 for the new meter.

Local residents also expressed surprise over the bill before the connection was even activated. They demanded an investigation and action against those responsible.

Tegharia Complaint Centre In-charge Mokhlesur Rahman said the bill was generated after consulting with Nimai Sarkar. When asked if a bill could be issued without a meter or connection, he said it was a mistake.

Jamalpur Rural Electrification Board Madarganj Zonal Office Assistant General Manager (O&M) Abu Saleh Md Naeem said the problem occurred due to a software change. However, he could not provide a specific explanation on how a bill was created without a meter or connection.

Deputy General Manager Syeda Farzana Yasmin of the same office also could not offer a clear explanation, saying she did not know how a bill could be issued without a meter or connection.