Theft or robbery? Consumers question abnormal electricity bills in June

As in previous years, a storm of complaints has erupted across the country over electricity bills for the month of June. Consumers from Dhaka to Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Brahmanbaria, Kurigram, Habiganj and other districts have alleged that despite similar usage, bills have increased several times over. Complaints have come from both prepaid and postpaid meter users.

Consumers claim no new electrical appliances were added to their homes, and there were even load-shedding hours. Yet they find no logical explanation for the abnormally high bills. Many are asking in frustration whether this is theft or robbery.

Currently, there are approximately five crore electricity consumers in the country, with the majority still using postpaid meters. Allegations have emerged that regular meter readings are not taken in many areas. In some cases, bills are estimated; in others, units from several months are added together, pushing consumers into higher tariff slabs.

Officials in the power sector say irregularities in meter reading, billing errors and the accumulation of units from multiple months often cause bills to spike. However, a sector source claims questions also arise regarding revenue collection targets and system loss calculations at the end of the fiscal year.

A resident of Adabor, whose monthly bill is usually around Tk 1,500, received a bill of approximately Tk 14,500 for June. After visiting the power office, it was revealed that a digit error in the meter reading had caused the inflated bill. After correction, the bill was reduced to Tk 1,460.

A Niketon consumer's bill for May was around Tk 6,842. In June, it surged to Tk 48,909. In Narayanganj, a consumer's bill rose from Tk 6,100 to Tk 11,200. In Brahmanbaria, one consumer's bill increased from Tk 1,700 to about Tk 4,000, while another's rose from Tk 6,000 to nearly Tk 13,000.

In Chapainawabganj, a consumer without air conditioning received a bill of Tk 4,766, up from Tk 1,800. In Kurigram's Ulipur, a consumer using only one fan and one bulb was handed a bill for Tk 7,200.

In Habiganj, a female consumer was erroneously issued a bill for Tk 2.57 crore, which authorities later corrected as a computer error.

Complaints are not limited to postpaid meters. A Dhaka consumer reported having to recharge nearly Tk 9,000 in just 13 days, whereas Tk 3,000-3,500 used to cover the entire month.

Another consumer alleged that large amounts were being deducted frequently from the meter within days, despite using only fans, lights and a refrigerator. A NESCO consumer claimed Tk 350 was deducted within three days of a Tk 1,000 recharge.

Following widespread complaints over abnormal bills, a review meeting was held on July 2 chaired by Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh. All distribution companies were directed to investigate excess billing complaints, rectify billing or technical errors immediately and take legal action against those found guilty of malpractice.

In Rajshahi, Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) and Rajshahi Raksha Sangram Parishad submitted a memorandum to NESCO's managing director demanding cancellation of the 'ghost' bills, fresh billing based on actual meter readings, bill adjustments for affected consumers and the formation of a special complaint cell.

Professor Dr M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said complaints over electricity bills are nothing new. Such problems will persist unless transparency is ensured in meter reading and billing systems.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) Chairman Md Rezaul Karim said higher temperatures in June increased electricity consumption. Power tariffs have also risen. Most bills scrutinised after complaints have been found accurate.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit told the media that complaints of excessive bills have emerged in several areas. Complaint cells have been opened at every power office to address these issues, and necessary action will be taken promptly upon contact.