North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) has initiated steps to open a consumer facilitation centre for lodging complaints, subsequent hearing and redress of grievances related to electricity bills.

NBPDCL managing director Balamurgun D., who along with district magistrate (DM) Anupam Kumar, reviewed the functioning of Essel Vidyut Vitran Limited in Muzaffarpur, felt that the consumers were aggrieved.

The DM said: “The state government was burning midnight oil to improve the overall power situation but at the same time, the consumers are being charged erroneous bills and anomalies are being reported. Moreover, the bills served to them are not according to the meter readings consumed by them. This is bringing a bad name to the government. It is high time to look into the complaints of consumers by setting up consume facilitation centre. The centre will start functioning within a fortnight.”

Representatives of North Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI), led by its chairperson, Motilal Chaparia, also requested the DM to explore and evolve strategies to look into the complaints of power consumers.

Haider Khan, a peeved consumer, said: “The power situation has improved but consumers are still charged exaggerated bills. There is a common feeling that the electric meters installed by Essel Vidyut Vitran Limited are running fast. Those meters should be checked by the state government to reduce chances of faulty functioning.”