SHILLONG: The Dorbar Shnong of Mawlyndep, Umiam, has appealed to the State Government—particularly the Power Department—to take immediate action to address the steep rise in electricity bills and recurring power outages, which are placing an increasing burden on consumers.
The appeal was made by Rangbah Shnong Jinu Kharbuki, along with members of the Dorbar Shnong and representatives of the Seng Longkmie, who highlighted the growing hardships faced by residents due to escalating power tariffs and unreliable electricity supply.
Speaking to the media at the Shillong Press Club, Kharbuki said that the Dorbar Shnong has repeatedly raised the issue with authorities, but despite several representations, electricity bills have continued to rise.
He cited the example of a household whose monthly bill, previously between ₹400 and ₹500, suddenly jumped to ₹1,614 this month. Such unexpected hikes, he noted, are causing financial distress to ordinary families, especially those with limited electricity consumption.
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Kharbuki added that many residents have approached the Dorbar Shnong with complaints about unusually high bills. Comparisons of previous and current bills revealed that households paying less than ₹1,000 are now receiving bills exceeding that amount.
He further stated that while some officials have blamed faulty electricity meters, rural consumers are ill-equipped to identify defective meters themselves.
He urged the Power Department to ensure meter inspectors promptly notify consumers when a meter is faulty, so replacements can be arranged without delay.
The Rangbah Shnong also expressed concern over frequent power cuts in Mawlyndep, despite its proximity to Umiam.
Whereas the area was previously served by three Power Department employees, now just one is responsible for maintaining supply across nearly 28 to 29 villages. Kharbuki criticized the situation, noting that power often gets disrupted even during light rainfall or strong winds, making it impossible for a single employee to attend to all affected areas.
He called for the deployment of at least two or three additional staff to ensure uninterrupted supply, particularly to schools, hotels, and other essential establishments.
The Dorbar Shnong urged authorities to move beyond offering explanations and instead take concrete steps to resolve these persistent issues. They called on the Government and Power Department to intervene urgently and provide much-needed relief to the public.
(4FrontMedia news)
