Our recent telephone bill received from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Calcutta, states an outrageous amount. Although the bill shows details of meter readings, we feel that the amount given is absurd. We have approached the local Bagbazar Telephone Exchange telling the authorities that we make minimal use of our telephone and hence the billing is wrong. My husband is a retired person and the telephone is there for emergencies only. How can we ensure that our bills have the correct meter readings? Is there any way we can ensure that the bill is an authentic one? What is our remedy now? Do we have to pay such inflated bills? Please advise.

Reba Sen,
31, Sankar Halder Lane, Calcutta 700 001

No response from the exchange

Roundup

Prabir Basu of Consumers Unity and Guidance Forum advises:

You can very well lodge a complaint against the BSNL at the appropriate district consumer forum. You can ask for a settlement on the bill through an arbitration to be conducted by a BSNL officer as per Section 7 (B) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. As per the rules, you have to pay the bill. However, the arbitrator has the right to grant a stay on the recovery of the bill.