Double bills to heat up power cost for citizens

Nagpur: Electricity consumers in Nagpur, already grappling with frequent outages and rising power bills due to increased summer usage, will receive two separate bills in April and May from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). One bill will be for regular electricity consumption, while the second will be for an "additional security deposit", mandated under regulations of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).Under the Electricity Act, 2003, consumers are required to maintain a deposit equivalent to two months of their average electricity bill. It is refunded with interest if the connection is permanently disconnected. As per MSEDCL, the security deposit is collected as a safeguard since electricity is supplied before payments are made.Officials said, the deposit is revised annually. If electricity usage increased over the past year, the required deposit also rises. In such cases, consumers are billed only for the difference between the existing deposit and the revised amount as an "additional security deposit".MSEDCL clarified that interest is paid annually on the deposited amount at rates linked to the Reserve Bank of India. Last year, the applicable rate was 6.75%, and the amount is adjusted in the electricity bill.