Widespread complaints have emerged in Tamil Nadu regarding unusually high electricity bills in recent weeks, with many domestic consumers noting bills two to three times higher than usual. The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (Tangedco) has responded to public concern by explaining the situation and initiating a review of the billing process. This issue has stirred fresh political debate, following the government’s introduction of a scheme providing 200 units of free electricity to eligible domestic consumers.
The controversy arises shortly after the new government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, took office. One of the government’s initial actions was the implementation of the free electricity promise, benefiting households consuming up to 500 units during a billing cycle. While this initiative was well-received, criticism surfaced over the decision to maintain the bi-monthly billing system instead of transitioning to monthly billing as pledged during the election campaign. Various consumer groups raised concerns about the challenges posed by the two-month billing cycle in accurately monitoring electricity usage and the advantages of the free power scheme.
Opposition parties have accused the government of raising electricity charges quietly after announcing the free electricity program, as complaints about inflated bills continue to escalate. Consumers from different regions of the state have reported significant bill increases despite no substantial rise in power consumption. Responding to these mounting concerns, the Chief Engineer of Tangedco’s Padi Zone issued a circular acknowledging irregularities in the billing system that have impacted consumers in specific areas.
Acknowledging financial hardships faced by consumers due to billing irregularities, the circular highlighted issues in meter reading and the billing process leading to incorrect and excessively high charges in some cases. Supervising engineers have been tasked with conducting regular inspections to identify and rectify anomalies promptly. Divisional offices are instructed to address problems arising from faulty meter readings swiftly to prevent consumers from bearing incorrect electricity bills. The utility is set to review affected cases and take corrective measures where billing errors are confirmed.
