In a unique form of protest, residents of Bhopal, led by Congress leader Manoj Shukla, demonstrated against inflated electricity bills, hefty fines, and power disconnections by presenting roses to officials at the electricity company’s office in Royal Market.
A large number of women participated in the protest, urging officials to provide relief from exorbitant electricity charges. They handed roses to the officers as a symbolic gesture while presenting copies of their registered complaints to the Deputy General Manager, demanding answers regarding the alleged discrepancies in billing and disconnections.
Allegations of Unfair Billing Practices
Shukla accused the electricity company of arbitrarily removing meters without the consent of residents and sending them for testing in laboratories without their presence. Subsequently, consumers received notices of pending dues ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh without prior intimation. He further alleged that entire residential colonies were subjected to power cuts simultaneously, causing widespread distress.
Protesters claimed that under the guise of installing smart meters, old meters were being removed, and consumers were being forced to pay hefty amounts by citing fabricated meter faults. They asserted that reports generated from laboratory testing were unreliable and lacked transparency.
Shukla also highlighted procedural changes that have burdened consumers. "Earlier, a third-party committee was involved in Panchnama (inspection reports), but the department has now abolished it. Additionally, there was no interest on fines earlier, but now a 16% interest is being charged. Moreover, due dates were not imposed on challans before, but now they have been introduced, further pressuring consumers," he stated.
In response to these grievances, Shukla and the protesting women reached the General Manager’s City Circle office in Bhopal. They presented their demands and concerns to the Deputy General Manager, symbolically offering roses as a peaceful appeal for resolution.
The protest highlighted growing frustration among residents over electricity billing practices, urging authorities to take immediate corrective measures and provide much-needed relief to affected consumers.