Shillong: Meghalaya legislators on Friday urged Power Minister Prestone Tynsong to do away with the extra charges paid by consumers when using its payment gateway to pay electricity bills.
Adelbert Nongrum, the MLA from North Shillong of the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) party, raised several questions concerning online payment of electricity bill. Stating that as per his knowledge, Rs 6 is charged for every light bill, Nongrum questioned if an extra charge of Rs 6 is levied and whether the power minister was aware of it.
Tynsong said that he was aware of the charges but it’s the wisdom of the consumer if they are opting for online payment using a payment gateway. This commission is charged by the bank concerned and not Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
According to the minister in charge of power, MePDCL pays the transaction charge (commission) of the payment gateway while the consumer pays the charges levied by the bank.
The tariff for domestic category includes fixed charge and energy charge. When there is no consumption of energy only the fixed charge is being billed.
He added that loan is taken to cover capital cost for project implementation and working capital loans for power purchase and other expenditure.
Responding to Nongrum’s query concerning the revenue, Tynsong clarified that it is not a fact that MeECL is not generating any revenue right from 1975. MeECL and the erstwhile MSEB depend on the revenue generated to meet its expenses.
He added that delay payment charge is being levied if payment is not received after due date. As per MSERC Electricity Supply Code 2018, if the amount of the bill, inclusive of arrears, if any, is not paid in full within the due date, a delayed payment charge of 1% on the outstanding amount but exclusive of Government Electricity Duty, will be levied for each 30 days or part thereof.
Tynsong also mentioned that this payment gateway has been initiated since 2014.
Adding in a supplementary question, AITC state president Charles Pyngrope was concerned how extra charges are levied when no other portal are charging.
“I also make my MePDCL payments online and there is a charge of Rs 5.90 paisa, if you go to any other portal there are no charges. There was a notification issued by the RBI that no payment gateway can charge any additional charges. Will MePDCL take this up with the payment gateway which is Billdesk and the others since it is not allowed?” questioned Pyngrope.
Making further clarification, Tynsong said the MeECL engages a vendor to deal with the portal and pays it Rs 2.5 for transfer, and the expense is borne by the MeECL.
Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie questioned how much fixed charge levied on consumers. Sawkmie also sought the breakup revenue of 2019-2022 to which the minister in-charge said that he requires notice to compile all the details.
Sawkmie questioned whether the MeECL is self sufficient/reliant by its revenue collection. Tynsong responded in the negative and said that as of today they are not at all self sufficient to support all the day to day requirement of the corporation.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Saleng Sangma stated that since a common man doesn’t understand the consumer charges and other charges, is there any kind of sensitization or notification given to public.
“Since the minister informed about the fixed charge but we’ve seen those who don’t use electricity are charged. What if we are cheated by line men? Once sensitization is done maybe no one can cheat us,” stated Sangma.
Tynsong said that a standing order from the management authority where all field officers need to carry-out duty as prescribed direction from management authority while dealing with customers in rural areas. The power minister added that they will try to strengthen and ensure no faulty billing is done.
Shella MLA Balajied Synrem asked whether the government has taken cognisance with regards to complains of power bills spiking up especially in rural areas. Tynsong acknowledged that complains have been coming every now and then and said the department has recently directed all field officers and SDOs to ensure that meter readings are done carefully to avoid any miscalculation.
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