PIL filed in Bombay HC for direction to Maharashtra govt to reduce inflated power bills

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in Bombay High Court raising concerns over inflated electricity bills being received by several citizens in Maharashtra and seeking a direction to state government and power service providers to reduce amount.

PIL filed by Mumbai-based businessman Ravindra Desai has also demanded that government and companies like Adani and Tata Power formulate a strategy to avoid excess power bills in future.

Desai has sought an interim stay on payment of electricity bill of June 2020 for each citizen pending hearing of his petition and waiver of late payment charges. Desai filed petition on June 29 after he received his power bill which was ten times more than his usual bill.

plea claimed that residents of Maharashtra have incurred losses due to COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown. plea names Minister of Energy, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd, Adani Electricity, Tata Power and Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Although commercial activities have been allowed under state government's 'Mission Begin Again' plan since June 8, movement of people is severely restricted beyond a radius of two kilometres from ir residences. petition is likely to be taken up for hearing on July 3.

(Photo Credit: PTI)