Hefty bill for shut shop: Prayer for ‘devil’ meter

Shimla: A Himachal Pradesh agricultural representative has staged a satirical prayer protest against a "devil" smart meter after receiving a 23,700-rupee electricity bill for a shop that has been closed for almost a year.Harish Chauhan, president of the state's Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers Growers' Association, was filmed offering incense and prayers to the device at Patsari village. The protest, which has since gained traction online, highlights growing public fury over the erratic rollout of smart billing technology across the Himalayan state.The ‘Devil' in the DetailChauhan claims his shop is shuttered for 10 months with no appliances running and yet he received a bill for ₹17,313 in March and ₹6,387 in April. "I received no bills for 10 months, and then suddenly these massive charges appeared," Chauhan said.He alleged the electricity department had ignored multiple complaints, leaving him with no choice but to treat the meter as a "malicious entity".The protest has resonated with local residents who report similar billing anomalies following the installation of smart meters. Rohru resident Avinash Chauhan reported receiving bills for ₹33,000 and ₹22,000 for two separate closed premises.Widespread protests have previously hit other districts, with consumers alleging the new digital systems run fast.Legal Action LoomingChauhan warned that unless the department corrects the billing errors, he will move the matter to the courts. He said: "Otherwise, the next step will be to uproot these meters and throw these onto the road." The state electricity board has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.MSID:: 131037256 413 |