Sanjay Mishra/Chandigarh
Taking cognisance of a power billing-related complaint from Faridabad, the Haryana Right to Service Commission has directed that a compensation of Rs. 5,000 be awarded to the consumer Sh. Karan Singh Khatri. The amount will be recovered from the erring officials as per prescribed procedures.
Sharing more details in this regard, the Commission’s spokesperson said that the applicant had obtained a temporary electricity connection on August 1, 2024. During this period, he was issued monthly bills of approximately Rs. 2,500 on an average basis, which he paid regularly. However, on January 19, 2026, a consolidated bill amounting to Rs. 15,833 was issued for the period from August 1, 2024, to January 15, 2026.
The applicant subsequently filed a complaint on January 21, 2026, and pursued the matter through the prescribed first and second appeal mechanisms. It also came to the Commission’s notice that the consumer had paid the entire billed amount while the case was under consideration.
In its order, the Commission observed that while consumers are liable to pay for actual electricity consumption, issuing a lump sum bill after prolonged average billing necessitates consideration of consumer convenience.
The Commission has directed that, in such cases, officials should adopt a consumer-centric approach and consider facilitating payment in instalments, wherever required.
Exercising its powers under Section 17(1)(h) of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014, the Commission has ordered the maximum permissible compensation of Rs. 5,000. The concerned officer has also been directed to submit a compliance report by April 13, 2026.