49,710 rupees electricity bill in single room house! KSEB pulls Annamma's fuse despite filing complaint

VAGAMON (IDUKKI): The electricity bill of 72-year-old Annamma's one-room house is around half a lakh rupees. The KSEB officials pulled the fuse of the house while the helpless old woman stood confused. Now Annamma is relying only on the light of the kerosene lamp.

Annamma's electricity bill usually ranges from 200 to 400 rupees. However, she was surprised to see the bill that came on the 15th of last month, Rs. 49,710. Annamma, whose husband had died years ago, is living as a wage labourer. Her health has deteriorated now and hence she is unable to go to work. She is supported by her married daughter.

Complaint without resolution

Annamma filed a complaint against the excessive bill in the KSEB Peerumedu section along with an explanation. Not only did they not help but they put her in more misery by cutting off the electricity in the house. The house has been without electricity for seventeen days now. Annamma spends the night in fear. The only comfort is having her grandson with her. There was a thunderstorm in the area months ago. The meter, which was broken that day, was replaced by the authorities. The additional amount has come as per the reading on the new meter. There is widespread protest against the KSEB action.

Scared of dogs; didn't take reading for three years

KSEB explained that the meter reading was not taken from December 2019 to December 2022 due to the fear of the dog that was tied near the meter at Annamma's house and this is the reason for the huge bill. Annamma was given an average door lock bill (a bill given when a reading cannot be taken because no one is home). In February 2023 the new reader took the original reading after moving the dog. Peerumedu Section Assistant Engineer PV Shajan explained that the new bill has come with three years' arrears (Rs. 46,815).