Speak up Mumbai: All fingers at Adani after power bills spike manifold since takeover

If you have received an unprecedented higher electricity bill in the past three months, do not be surprised for you are not alone. This is not the first time that citizens, particularly in the suburbs have felt a jolt of the rising electricity bills. However, what's rather new in this regard is the widespread reaction from politicians jumping in the fray.

A few months ago, the Adani Group took over Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra). Ever since two to three billing cycles have come in the name of Adani. Some consumers have complained that the bills, particularly for the month of September and October, jumped to almost twice of what they were when RInfra was the supplier. This recurring trend has now, as a result, become a problem.

Following Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis orders to a committee to look into the surge in bills, DNA asks citizens in suburban Mumbai if they received an inflated power bill this month even as Adani maintains that there is no sudden surge. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) spokesperson in response to an email query, said, "RInfra filed a tariff petition to MERC on December 22, 2017. MERC conducted a public hearing on August 2, 2018, and reserved the order. Adani took over RInfra's Mumbai electricity business on August 28, 2018, and a tariff revision order was issued by MERC on September 12, 2018, which is effective from September 1, 2018."

"The tariff increase has no correlation with Adani taking over Mumbai distribution business. It is only a coincidence that the timing of tariff revision coincided with the takeover. Further, the electricity consumption rises in the month of October every year after Monsoon, due to increasing temperatures and humidity. Residential Slab Rates are applied telescopically ie when consumption increases, higher units fall under progressively higher slab rates. Due to this, an increase in bill amount with an increase in units is non-linear ie bills increase significantly as more and more units fall into higher slabs. The increased consumption (units) combined with the tariff rates approved by MERC as shown above increased the bill amount for October. This is a natural phenomenon and repeats every year. Further, AEML, or any Distribution Licensee for that matter, is not authorised to charge any tariff other than that approved by MERC. We are addressing the customers by educating them and providing factual information."

VOICES

My bill has inflated in the last two months. I was getting bills of just over Rs 2,000. But in the last two months I have been getting over Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 bill. This is affecting middle class people like me. We have air conditioners but we use it rarely. We use only one and not even all the time. Only my husband and I live as my daughters are studying and do not even stay here. I have been trying to get in touch with them now.” 
— Mili Shetty, resident of Charkop

Yes the light bill was high this month compared to before. However, I don’t know the exact reason behind the high bill this month. May be because there was a lot of heat in October, AC and fans must have been used more. We will be more cautious about the usage henceforth. I have no plans of raising the issue with anyone including MSEDCL who provide us electricity.
— Nadeem Shaikh, Kalyan resident

My household electricity bill has increased drastically ever since Adani Electricity took over from Reliance. The units consumed are appearing unusually high which wasn’t the case earlier. We have not brought any new electronic appliances that would shoot up our electricity consumption, yet the bills kept on increasing. Tired with paying such high electricity bill, I finally decided to shift to another power-supplying company. It is not only me, but there are many like me with similar complaints.
— Shweta Vyas, Bhayander resident

There has been a sharp increase in electricity bills for the last two months. Our bills would amount to around Rs 1,500 to 1,700 per month when Reliance was providing electricity. But, the bill is Rs 2,600 in November. There was an increase in the the amount despite even when we don’t use an air-conditioner. We can’t even change energy providers because we stay on rent. There has to be a policy and a check on the billing system.
— Rashmi Jadhav, Dahisar resident 

From the time Adani Electricity took over, I have been getting inflated bills for three months now. Basis my complaint, they even checked my metre and found no mistake. But, I am not convinced. Bills are clearly 20-25% higher. As the chairman of Dhake Colony CHS, Andheri west, I know of at least 20 others who have received spiked bills. A person even got a revised bill with reduced amount. Fortunately, citizens have woken up and will ensure that Adani ki mann maani nahi chalegi.
— Anand Shirali, Andheri resident 

For the last three months, the electricity bill has almost doubled while there is no change in the consumption pattern. I have a office in Juhu and used to get Rs 11,000 per month, but for the last three months, power bill is increasing. Initially, there was 30% rise which I thought we may have consumed more. But, the power bill kept rising and now, I got almost Rs 19,000 bill for October-November. We doubt that this could have happened due to change in ownership.
— Vhayashree Vera, Juhu resident

Since there is a shift in the provider, we have been facing bill escalation. There is a spike in bill almost every month though the appliances have not changed since years. We all are working people hence there is minimum usage of electricity yet the bill is over 3,000 every month for 1bhk. Last month we had not received the bill and this month the bill amount was for two months which was more than Rs 6,500 along with penalty for last month. Immediate intervention is needed.
— Khushboo Sangoi, Ghatkopar resident

My electricity bill for September, October together accounted for Rs 9,000 which is a collective amount of my four months usage. Despite complaining several times, the problem was not addressed but instead more amount was added up saying it’s a hike in tariff charges. I consider this to be public loot and if the government does not take this matter seriously then this will have undesirable consequences.
— Radhika Khatri, Borivali resident

EXPERT SPEAK

They cannot charge more than the MERC limit. MERC allows revision in tariffs after going through a number of things including their expenses. I cannot comment on the numbers in the bill amount because I do not live in that part of the city. But, the way to find out is simple. Keep a tab on which month the tariff order was passed and when was the raise approved. The period from when the increase began can tell the difference in numbers. Again, tariffs cannot be charged without the permission and go ahead of MERC. If it is allowed by MERC, only then can they levy such tariff.
— Chandra Iyengar, former chairperson, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) 

The tariff which is being collected by Adani was proposed by Reliance Infrastructure. Now with the new deal, Adani is the one collecting the tariff from the peopl. Also, power distributors are allowed to collect money based on the tariff allowed by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). Where were the political parties when the public hearing was held by MERC over these proposed tariffs.
— Sandip Ohri, Power Expert