----- Original Message ----- From: Bernard D'souza To: Kabir Gama Roy ; Dr. Manoj Solanki ; PMCA ; Capt. Leo A. Lobo ; Goa Desc ; Averthanus D'souza Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 1:17 PM
Date: 30/01/2004. To, The Chief Engineer, Electricity Department, Vidyut Bhavan, Panaji Goa. Sub: Excessive Billing by Electricity Department. Ref: Consumer No. MIR-2A1-400.77--- New connection. Sir, I am an Electrical Engineer and a Senior Citizen. I wish to inform you as below:- I received the first bill No 0311228638 for 5 months, billed for Rs.882/- (copy of the bill enclosed-A).As we received the bill late the same remained unpaid. The bill for subsequent month, for Rs.2411/- was received on time but showed excess billing by Rs.1639/- (copy of the bill enclosed-B). On 28/01/2004 I approached the billing section for correction. Initially the billing section refused to correct the bill and insisted it was correct. When the mistakes were pointed out, the officer concerned consulted the computer section and I was issued a fresh bill corrected to Rs.1224/- which, again, showed an excess amount of Rs.126/-, Altercation and arguments followed. After more consultation with the computer section and intense altercation and arguments the bill was finally re-corrected to Rs. 1098/- against the erroneous bill for Rs.2411/-(copy of bill enclosed-C). During this 45 minutes ordeal I encountered many more cases. Many more consumers had arrived for settling their grievances on excess billing. Some of them are as below: a) One lady (advocate) whose meter was disconnected inspite of her having paid the bills upto date. b) One gentlemen who was billed excess arrears of Rs.7,000/- and billed under commercial instead of domestic c) And many more cases. To my great surprise I found one person in the department, who is most notorious in his behaviour, is the J.E. Computer Mr. Jack Fernandes. He is argumentative, hot-tempered and indecent. He claims it is within his power to over-bill the consumer and whenever pointed out he will adjust the bill by giving credit, he said. He needs to be warned of consequences before it is too late. Sir, in view of such a horrible state of affairs of the billing section I wish to share with you my mind as below: 1) As a senior citizen and an Electrical Engineer should I be subjected to such arrogance, mental tension and frustration by your billing section personnel? 2) Such irresponsible behaviour and lack of competence, will it not bring your department into disrepute? I, therefore request you to investigate: a) As to why wrong billing happens so frequently. b) Please put an end to the harassment the consumers are subjected to. c) Please clarify if your office has empowered billing staff to bill the consumer more than what is due. I request you to investigate the matter on urgent basis. Awaiting you reply. Yours Faithfully, Sd/- Mr. Bernard D'souza Encl: 1. Xerox copy of bill -A 2. Xerox copy of bill -B 3. Xerox copy of bill -C C.C. to: Shri Digamber Kamat Minister for Power, Secretariat- Panaji Goa. Sir, this is for your kind information and expeditious action. ____________________________________________ "The only thing needed for Evil to triumph Is for good people to do nothing". ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
