Chennai, July 20: Amid increasing complaints about exorbitant electricity bills, the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDC) has ordered strict measures against billing errors across the state.
The company has directed field officers to ensure accurate assessments and warned that disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible for issuing incorrect bills.
This action comes at a time when customers are expressing dissatisfaction over inflated two-month bills, delayed meter readings, and issues with the government’s free electricity scheme, posing a political challenge for the ruling DMK government.
In an internal circular issued to all superintending engineers, TNPDC instructed officials to strengthen billing inspections, expedite field checks, and establish clear accountability at every level to prevent billing errors, reduce customer complaints, and safeguard the company’s revenue.
The corporation stated that recurring customer complaints and inspection reports have revealed serious flaws in the billing process. According to the circular, inflated bills have been sent to domestic customers due to incorrect meter readings, faulty meters, and procedural shortcomings.
The Director of Finance had also pointed out the frequent occurrence of unusual billing in several distribution areas, warning that such errors undermine customer trust and the company’s financial health.
TNPDC noted that inspections revealed inadequate monitoring by revenue supervisors, assessment officers, assistant accounting officers, and other evaluation staff.
It was also found that inspections at the electricity distribution circle level were insufficient, and faulty meters often went unnoticed for extended periods, allowing billing errors to persist until customers filed complaints.
Despite repeated directives from headquarters to improve billing accuracy and customer service, deficiencies remain. To address this issue, the company has instructed all circles to conduct surprise inspections and large-scale verification campaigns periodically.
Evaluation staff have been directed to meticulously check meter readings, while the performance of inspection officers will be regularly monitored and reviewed.
Superintending engineers have also been tasked with ensuring accountability among officials at the circle, division, and sub-division levels to guarantee prompt, transparent, and customer-friendly billing.
However, employee unions have attributed the recurring issues not to negligence but to a significant shortage of staff.
S. Kannan, president of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees Central Organization, stated that nearly 60% of the 7,565 evaluator positions and about 42% of the 3,961 inspection officer positions remain vacant.
Inspectors often have to handle meter reading tasks, while revenue supervisors are engaged in bill collection work. The increasing reliance on outsourced meter readers has also contributed to the rise in billing errors.
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