Power minister expresses regret over Tk507cr electricity bill in Magura

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku has expressed regret to a customer in Magura after she was issued an electricity bill of Tk506.83 crore for consuming just 235 units in September.

Mohitul Islam, general manager of Magura Palli Bidyut Samity, has been temporarily suspended over the incident following an urgent directive from the minister, according to a press release issued by the ministry today (30 September).

The minister came to know about the incident after it was reported in the media and circulated on social media. 

He then contacted the affected customer by phone and expressed regret over the erroneous bill and the temporary anxiety and distress caused by it.

Tuku also assured the customer that the bill had been corrected and that a revised bill had already been delivered. He urged customers to report similar problems directly to the relevant authorities in future.

The ministry said a preliminary investigation found that the abnormal bill was generated when digits from the meter’s seal number were mistakenly entered into the demand-charge field during a meter replacement.

The minister has also directed the authorities to take departmental and disciplinary action against other officials and employees found responsible for the incident, according to the release.

The bill was issued in the name of Aleya Khatun, wife of retired teacher Shahidul Islam and a resident of Kechuadubi village in Maghi Union under Magura Sadar upazila.

According to the bill, the meter reading was 395 on 8 September, compared with 160 on 8 August, indicating consumption of 235 units. 

The bill was issued on 10 September, with 29 September set as the payment deadline.