The government has taken the domestic electricity consumers for a ride. I have received electricity bill for consuming 416 units during the month of January amounting to Rs 2,650. In comparison, I had paid almost the same amount for 565 units in January 2008. This amounts to 36% net increase in utility cost over a period of one year.
In addition, I am required to pay Rs 1,527 in four instalments, as the government has withdrawn and re-imposed the discount allowed in October-November 2008 bills. Thus, total bill for January is Rs 3,032. Somehow, the government has allowed PEPCO/IESCO to continue to fleece the consumers unabated, and there is no relief available to the common man, contrary to government's earlier commitments.