BSES sends a hefty bill after 3 years, am i liable to pay?
Shruti
(Querist) 01 February 2011
This query is : Resolved
Hello, I live in Delhi and in 2005 I purchased a house, demolished it and got it reconstructed. I had 2 meters on the previous owner's name and till 2008, I received all bills and paid them. After that I went out of delhi for 8-9 months. Upon my return in 2009, i came to know that I'm not getting any bills for one of my meters while the second meter's bills are regularly paid. So, to avoid disconnection, i deposited around 1.5 lakh Rs and asked for my bill from the div office. However, they said they dont have any bill for that meter no. I made several rounds for the bill, but every time I was returned saying ther's no bill. Now, I've received a bill of Rs 11 lakhs which shows the previous reading date as 01-04-2008 and current reading as 3-01-11. On enquiring, i was being told that the bills for this meter were not generated all this while. someone told me that even if I fight a case against BSES, they'll give a rebate of 25-30%. As per me, the consumption should not be over 1 lakh Rs as I am using this place only as a godown for my products. pls advice wha to do
Kiran Kumar
(Expert) 01 February 2011
well, firstly find out the rules governing this whole process.
do you have any proof of your visits and requests, like some letter or application given to the concerned authorities?
the question here is why the bills were not generated by BSES....was there any fault with the meter....there must be various technical questions involved.
it will be better to fight it out....take help of some local lawyer who shall be in position to deal with this matter and must be having good knowledge regarding electricity related disputes.
Shruti
(Querist) 01 February 2011
I had applied for a new electricity connection during this while, wherein I was denied the connection on the basis of arrears, when asked to provide the bill, the department was unable to provide it. I have comments of BSES officials written on the rejection letter which can be shown as evidence of getting no bill from them and also, the current bill says that the last meter reading was done on 01-04-2008 after which the meter reading was taken on 03-01-2011. Please advice"
Shruti
(Querist) 01 February 2011
Also, there is no problem with the meter . Otherwise, it would have come in the bill or BSES officials must have pointed it out while taking meter reading
Shruti
(Querist) 01 February 2011
Also, I dont know anyone in Delhi who's competent in such cases, I talked to a few lawyers but how do i find out their competence?
Advocate. Arunagiri
(Expert) 01 February 2011
It is your duty to pay the bills every month even if you have not received the bills. You could have checked with the authorities every month.
You will not get a new connection as you have arrears for the existing connection.
What is the contents of the statement for Rs. 11 lakhs. Out of Rs.11 lakhs how much is demanded for actual consumption.
You can send me the scanned copy of the statement for Rs.11 lakhs and receipt for paying Rs.1.5 lakhs. I will check with the local EB Standing Counsel and inform you.
What is the reason for not taking meter reading for over three years.
Normaly the EB will disconnect the service if the bill is not paid for a particular period. In your case how they have waited for three years by providing service.
Shruti
(Querist) 01 February 2011
1. How to pay thebills when everytime the deptt official says, your bill is showing 0 amount.
2. Yes, but providing the details for the arrears is the departments duty
3 & 4. I am sending the bill to your mail id. The bill itself states that 179000 was paid on feb, 2009
5. That is what intrigues us as well. However, today even a BSES official after looking at the meter said that the bill was not generated.
