QUEPEM: More than 40 people from Taki, Sonfator, Shivnagar and Kakkumoddi from Quepem gathered outside the electricity department office over the huge electricity bills they have received.

The gathered people expressed their displeasure as the department had issued them bills from November- 09 to April-10 amounting to thousands.

They also alleged that the bills were exaggerated and not as per the actual metered units consumed. Ms Bosca Fernandes said that she has received the bill of Rs 25, 000 which "was absurd." Ms Fatima Fernandes, a widow, without any earning member in the family was literally in tears as she received a bill of Rs 4,500, which was out her reach as she survives on charity from the neighbors and known people. 

Even the representative of the Kakumoddi Chapel Committee said that they have received the bill of Rs 11,000 which, he said, was not possible as only 2 watt bulbs are lit daily.

Later a delegation comprising of Mr John Rebello, Mr Christanand Pednekar, Mr Rudresh and Ms Bosca Fernandes called on assistant engineer, Mr Bal Tilak, who expressed his helplessness and informed the people to come to the department to see if any corrections in the bills could be made. He expressed his helplessness saying that there was an acute shortage of staff but promised that all services would be normal soon.

Mr Rebello said that the department did not issue bills for about 5 to 6 months during last year end and to compensate for that period the bill amount was increased without properly checking the meter readings.

Mr Christanand said that some of the people had earlier called on to the electricity department with their grievances but were brushed off, saying that there was shortage of staff and that they could not do anything about it.  When contacted, Mr Tilak, he said that his staff were being deployed for the election duties and other government jobs due to which the billing was delayed. When asked if he has informed his superiors about the hardship the department is facing, he said that although he had brought this to the notice of the concerned officials, priority was given to the additional job.

When asked regarding the accumulated huge bills of 4 to 5 months which is hard for the people to pay, he said that presently all his staff had resumed duty and from now on the bills would be issued in time.