KSEB faces allegations of overcharging consumers as bill amounts stay high even during monsoon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Along with the temperature, electricity bill amounts also soared in the summer. But even though the electricity usage decreased during the rainy season, the bill did not come down significantly. This has strengthened the allegation that KSEB is overcharging its consumers.

KSEB issues electricity bill every two months instead of monthly bill. One of the allegations is that due to bi-monthly billing, the consumption goes above the minimum slab and thereby the KSEB makes excessive profits. Electricity bill has been changed to once in two months in the state as a part of cost reduction including meter reading.

This is not the first time that the electricity board in the state has been accused of charging excessive bills. The explanation given by KSEB earlier on this issue was that although consumers are billed every two months, the amount for the bill period is calculated after calculating the average monthly consumption of the customer.

Now the bill will also include duty fuel surcharge and meter rent. A duty of 10 percent of the bill payable on the total electricity consumed will be levied. Along with this, fuel surcharge is charged at nine paise per unit. KSEB charges Rs.12 as rent for meters provided by them. There is no rent for other meters. 12% GST is levied on meter rental, which will also be included in the bill.