Memorandum to Power Department
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 29, 2011:
T Phulchand, founder President, Consumers' Club Manipur, today submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer, Electricity Department regarding the legal actions being taken up against the consumers.
In the memorandum, Phulchand has questioned why the department has woken with a sudden jolt after so many years.
Will the departments acts be effective in both the hills and the valley and also to high ranking persons.
The memorandum further questions will the step ensure uninterrupted power supply to its consumers.
The memorandum alleged that the department is charging unequal bill amounts to different houses and areas.
Neighbouring states that do not produce electricity pay less bills but the people of Manipur pay a higher amount for electricity that is hardly available.
Bill copies to consumers are given once or twice a year, sometimes, consumers get bill copies once in every two or three years.
Linesmen are not sincere in their duty.
Consumers replace or repair blown off fuses on their own.
The department does not repair faulty transformers and the consumers have to repair transformers on their own.
Further complaint rooms in the state do not respond to complaints, it added.
If the state is facing an acute power shortage, why are the VIP lines getting an uninterrupted power supply, it asked.
It also questioned why is the department taking arbitary bill amounts from consumers by furnishing predetermined durations of power supply.
It appealed to the department to review its stand since the Board and Council Examinations are near.
If the department fails to address to the public grievances, consumers will be forced to seek legal assistance against the department, the memorandum mentions.