Additional security fund in the electricity bills reduced by half

Raipur: Chhattisgarh
State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) has given a major relief to
the domestic consumers of the state by reducing the additional security fund in the electricity bills by 50 per cent.

Now the domestic
consumers would be able to pay amounts less than the billed amount. The consumers,
who have already paid the bill, will be provided this benefit from next month,
50 per cent of the additional security fund deposited by them will be adjusted
in their next electricity bill.

There is a provision of
security fund under the standing instructions of the Chhattisgarh State Electricity
Regulatory Commission. The average consumption of electricity for the last 12
months is calculated every year and the difference between the Additional
Security Fund is taken in the month of October. This calculation is done on the
basis of the prevailing tariff after deducting the security deposit already
deposited as per rules. The higher the difference in amount, the more the
liability of the additional security fund becomes.

During the pandemic crisis
last year, the computing of additional security fund was postponed till this
year, because of which this year additional security fund of two years had to
be calculated. Moreover, people had to stay home round the clock during
lockdown, because of which the use of electrical appliances also increased.
This is the reason why this year the average bill amount has been significantly
more than the normal years and hence the payable additional security fund is
higher.

Chief minister Bhupesh
Baghel had given instructions to reduce the billed additional security fund by
50 per cent, for the convenience of the consumers. Thereafter, with the
permission of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the
domestic consumers have been provided the facility to pay 50 per cent of the
total amount of additional security fund released. Field staff of the electricity
department has been given instructions in the context. Consumers do not have to
worry about getting their bills revised. They will have the facility to deposit
50 per cent of the additional security fund while paying their bills.