MERC instructs Adani to clarify

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commi-ssion (MERC) has sought an explanation within 24 hours from Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) in connection with high power bills in the Mumbai suburban district. The notice was issued Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has demanded that the MERC immediately penalise the AEML and direct it to refund the excess bill of three months.

Mr Nirupam alleged that there was a nexus between MERC and private power supply companies over tariff charges. He demanded that a probe be set up to enquire into the nexus.

Last week, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawa-nkule to conduct an enquiry into complaints made by customers of AEML related to high power bills in the Mumbai suburban district.

According to the MERC’s notice, it had been observed that large sections of AEML consumers were continuously agitating against unduly excessive electricity bills received by them recently. Further, there were complaints about issuance of electricity bills based on average energy consumption instead of actual meter readings.

An AEML spokesperson said, “We have received the communication from hon’ble MERC and shall be making our submissions as per the direction of the hon’ble commission.”

The commission had taken serious note of these reports highlighting consumer grievances with respect to surge in their electricity bills which was not commensurate with the marginal hike in tariff approved by the commission.