GM suspended after 235-unit electricity bill runs to Tk 507cr

The general manager of Magura Palli Bidyut Samity has been suspended after a residential customer was issued an electricity bill of more than Tk 506.83 crore for using just 235 units in a month.

The disciplinary action against GM Md Mohitul Islam was taken by the Rural Electrification Board (REB) on Wednesday (September 30) following an emergency directive from Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud.

The minister also called the affected customer and apologised for the error.

The customer, Aleya Khatun, wife of retired teacher Shahidul Islam of Kechuadubi village in Magura Sadar, was billed Tk 506,83,11,593 for September. The bill included Tk 482.69 crore as a demand charge, Tk 24.13 crore in VAT and Tk 10 as meter rent.

According to the bill, her meter reading increased from 160 on August 8 to 395 on September 8, indicating consumption of 235 units. Her actual bill should have been Tk 1,963, or Tk 2,056 including the late-payment charge.

A preliminary REB investigation found that digits from the meter seal number were mistakenly entered in the demand-charge field when the meter was replaced, resulting in the extraordinarily inflated bill.

The electricity bill was subsequently corrected and the revised bill delivered to the customer.

The minister expressed regret over the incident and the anxiety caused to the customer, and asked her to directly contact the authorities if she faces similar problems in the future.

The minister has also ordered departmental action against other officials and employees found responsible for the error.