In a one of the novelist steps to redress the grievances of electricity consumers at the earliest, Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) has recently taken a decision to set up ombudsman cell for the customers. Department officials told that the cell would be worked under the vigilance cell of the department and the grievances of the customers would be solved on priority basis.
The non-payment of the electricity bills have always increased department’s woes since the formation of the State. With an aim to curtail the outstanding electricity bills, the State power department has been focusing on delivering the electricity bills on time.
Sources claimed that department is also stressing on the timely and correct distribution of the electricity bills so that electricity customers pay their bills well before the due date for avoiding surcharge. It is also equally important to mention here is that Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited has already introduced a toll-free customer care centre number (18004190405) for the consumers in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand. After receiving the overwhelming response from the centre, the department has also introduced toll free number (18001804185).
The customers can register their complaints from 10 am to 5 pm. The consumers can register their complaints focusing new connection, hike in load, replacement of the obsolete and damaged electronic meters, incorrect electricity bills etc.
The centre will follow the case and also inform the department concerned officials to take effective steps for redressing the grievances of the customers besides, the customers would be also updated about the steps taken by the department for redressing their grievances.
One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the stern instructions have been released to the officials to take effective steps for redressing the grievances of all those customers, who are facing hardship due to the delivered electricity bills. “Strict instructions have been given to the officials rectify the electricity bills at earliest,” he said, adding that the department has been focusing to deliver the electricity bills on time in order to reduce the outstanding electricity billed amount.
He said that the department has been focusing on bills collection efficiency with an aim to increase the revenue and to curtail line loss incidents besides, encouraging customers to pay their electricity bills well before the due date. He also stressed that the couple of plans is in the pipeline for enhancing and improving the facilities at billing collection centres.