Meet JPDCL Chief Engineer, get assurance on early redressal of power grievances
JAMMU, Sep 12: J&K Apni Party Senior Vice President, District Jammu Urban, Neelam Gupta, accompanied by District Secretary Sheekha Bhardwaj, today met the Chief Engineer, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and raised several pressing issues confronting electricity consumers across Jammu.
During the meeting, the Apni Party leaders held detailed discussions on the recent hike in power tariffs, the prolonged delay in the replacement of damaged smart meters, and complaints regarding inflated and unusually high electricity bills being received by consumers.
Neelam Gupta expressed concern over the additional financial burden being placed on ordinary households due to the increase in electricity tariffs. She maintained that while consumers understand the importance of a sustainable power distribution system, any revision in tariffs should take into account the paying capacity of common people and the quality and reliability of services being provided to them.
She also drew the Chief Engineer’s attention to cases where smart meters have become defective or damaged but are not being replaced within a reasonable time, causing inconvenience to consumers and, in some cases, giving rise to disputes over billing. She urged the authorities to establish an efficient mechanism for the speedy replacement of faulty meters so that consumers are not made to suffer because of technical deficiencies.
The Apni Party leaders further highlighted complaints of inflated power bills, stressing that consumers should receive accurate and transparent bills based on proper meter readings. They called for prompt verification of disputed bills and timely correction wherever discrepancies are found.
Neelam Gupta emphasised that electricity is an essential service and consumers should not have to repeatedly visit offices to get genuine grievances regarding meters and billing resolved. She urged JPDCL to strengthen its grievance-redressal mechanism and ensure that complaints are dealt with within a stipulated timeframe.
Gupta also stressed the need for greater accountability and consumer-friendly functioning at the ground level. She said that people, particularly those facing financial difficulties, should not be subjected to unnecessary harassment because of billing or meter-related issues.The delegation requested the Chief Engineer to take immediate and effective measures on the issues raised and provide relief to affected consumers.
The Chief Engineer, JPDCL, gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured that the issues raised by them would be examined and addressed on priority. The delegation expressed hope that the concerned officers would act promptly and ensure that genuine consumer grievances are resolved without further delay.