Slum dweller gets Rs 5.53 lakh electricity bill

Wadghar, Maharashtra - Social worker Taher Ali Zuber Khan calls it a case of cheating as he plans to move to the court in regard to the issue.

A slum dweller in Maharashtra has received an electricity bill of Rs 5.53 lakh. Shocked, Khan approached the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to address his concern.
Ironically, his bill was only brought down to Rs 2.02 lakh. A civil work labourer, Khan has been living with his 44 year-old wife and two children for the last 30 years in Wadghar Village, in Panvel Taluka. There is one meter is installed in his name while the other was installed in 2008 is in his wife's name.
"Every month we get a bill of between Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 for the meter in Zarina's name. This January, MSEB said the meter was faulty and that we'd have to pay Rs 5.53 lakh as arrears. The officials then cut the bill to Rs2.02 lakh after our requests. How can the bill be so high? Are they sending the bill to me or the entire village?," Mid-Day newspaper quoted Khan saying.
Social worker Taher Ali Zuber Khan calls it a case of cheating and plans to take up this matter in court.
"This is a case of cheating by the MSEB. They are trying to extort money, but we will fight for justice."
RB Patil, Assistant Accountant, MSEB, Bhinjari, claims, "The meter was running on 100 units instead of between 700-1,000 units. We have billed them accordingly. When they pay the amount, we will start the meter again."

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