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Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Steep power bill increase comes as shock for Pkl residents
Residents of Panchkula have received electricity bills showing increase of 100% to 400% for the period from mid-April to mid-May, compared to the previous year, despite minimal changes in unit consumption. While the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission implemented a rate increase of 20 to 30 paise per kWh/kVAh for domestic and industrial categories, an analysis of various bills reveals disproportionate charges despite marginal increase in consumption. This has had a particularly adverse effect on middle-class families, the economically disadvantaged and pensioners. S K Nayar, Citizens' Welfare Association president from Sector 15, experienced a 145% increase in charges while maintaining similar consumption. His bill rose to Rs 2,042 for 210 units, compared to Rs 833 for 216 units in April 2024. "It is a loot of public money, and a wrong step was taken. Earlier, there used to be a minimum charge, and even if you went out of the city for a few months, the bill amount would not pinch you. But they are imposing fixed charges, which have burned a hole in the pockets of the common man," he rued. Sector 25 resident Mohit Gupta received a bill of Rs 5,641 for 668.25 units, while last April's bill was Rs 2,673 for 496.23 units. Despite lower consumption previously, this year's rate increase has resulted in substantially higher charges. Sant Singh Gill, former RWA president of Sector 25, saw his bill increase to Rs 3,745, as compared to Rs 1,286 last year, representing a 191% rise in charges against a 47% increase in consumption. Analysis shows varied impacts: Cases with abnormal consumption increases saw 430% higher bills, while 38% consumption increases resulted in 111% higher bills. Even with 21% reduced consumption, bills increased by 87%. Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVNL) chief engineer (Operations) Chandan Singh said, "The bills have been generated as per HERC's current rates. Some may have felt bills are higher because consumption has increased. As far as fixed charges are concerned, it is a certain amount for certain uses." The 2025-26 electricity order confirms rate increases of 20 to 30 paise per kWh/kVAh for both domestic and industrial categories in Haryana.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Residents' body slams Panchkula Municipal Corporation for not adjusting garbage tax refunds in 2025-26 bills
The Citizens' Welfare Association (CWA), an apex body of Panchkula residents, has accused the municipal corporation of ignoring Haryana government directions and public sentiment by continuing to levy garbage collection charges in the property tax bills for 2025–26 without adjusting excess amounts already paid by residents last year. In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the CWA said that despite a Haryana government waiver of garbage charges for the financial year 2024–25, many 'honest and good paymasters' had already paid the full amount, including the garbage tax, in anticipation that it would be adjusted in the following year's bills. However, the municipal corporation has issued fresh bills for 2025–26 without accounting for the excess amount collected in 2024–25. Residents are now being compelled to pay garbage charges again, which has sparked widespread resentment. 'MC staff are reportedly coercing residents to pay the full amount, including garbage tax, and asking them to seek refunds only after the payment is made for 2025–26,' the release stated, citing specific complaints from residents. Among the complainants are V K Jain and Madhu Jain, owners of House No. 521, Sector 15, Panchkula. In their representation to the municipal corporation commissioner and the chief minister, they stated that they had paid Rs 3,914.19, including garbage tax, on June 21, 2024 (receipt No. G13053240017906-7) but were still being asked to pay the same charges again this year. Similarly, Deepak Arora, a resident of Sector 12A, has also alleged that he was directed by municipal corporation staff to pay the garbage tax again before seeking a refund for last year's payment. The CWA also pointed out that former Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and ex-Panchkula MLA Gyan Chand Gupta had during his tenure announced in an official booklet a policy of 'free lifting of garbage from door to door'. The booklet mentions a Rs 2.10-crore expenditure on vehicles and equipment for this purpose, assuring residents that the service would remain free of charge. The association has called for immediate corrective action and urged the chief minister, local bodies minister, and senior officials of the urban local bodies department to intervene. They demanded that no garbage fee should be collected until the system is made 'smooth and foolproof' and that the municipal corporation must first refund excess charges paid in 2024–25 before collecting any new amounts. 'It is imperative that the honest taxpayers are not penalised. The municipal corporation must stop collecting advance garbage fees until pending adjustments are made,' said CWA president S K Nayar. The association warned that failure to address the issue would only deepen public dissatisfaction and further erode trust in civic authorities.
