No shock therapy for consumers

HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the Telangana Sakala Janula Samme (general strike), Hyderabadis will have to pay up their current bills or face penalty.Not to worry, though, because officials have ruled out “drastic action.” In other words, disconnection.There are over 35 lakh consumers of the Central Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (CPDCAPL) in Greater Hyderabad limits and of them, about 16 lakh are in the twin cities.Officials said the latest power bills have already been issued to the consumers.Payment can be made at any of the eSeva Centres or through net banking, aponline or on internet as the 18 Integrated Customer Service Centres (ICSCs) in the Hyderabad Circle and 11 in Rangareddy district, where the bills are directly collected, are closed due to the strike.The Telangana electricity employees have been on strike since September 21.On the issue of surcharge for late payment of power bills, CPDCAPL officials said the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) is the only competent authority to decide on financial matters either with regard to levy of surcharge or waiver of reconnection charges consequent upon disconnection of services due to non-payment of electricity bills.They said about 65 percent consumers had already paid their bills.Generally, bills have to be cleared within 14 days after being generated. Usually, the bills are issued before the 10th of every month.The officials said no drastic action would be initiated against the consumers for late payment in view of the prevailing situation.