Despite the government’s initiative to install household prepaid electricity meters to improve services and the energy-saving attitude of consumers, customers in Munshiganj are allegedly facing various problems due to the mismanagement.
initial stage of the connection to recharge the meter. Customers had to press the 20 digit token number to recharge the meter. Many fail to recharge the first time due to time limitation. Those who can type quickly on computer or mobile would be able to recharge only in the first step. Moreover, most people find success with recharging after a few attempts.
But now the problem worsen as the customers have to stand in long queues to pay their electricity bills like they had to do using the conventional electricity meter. One has to stand in long queues at Pallibidyut office to recharge prepaid electric meters.
Going to the office of Munshiganj Sadar Palli Bidyut Samiti on Sunday, it was seen that the customers were waiting in a long line to recharge the prepaid meters, enduring the scorching heat of the sun. They are also making various comments to the office officials.
While talking with Abul Hossain, Md Sorhab, Rahima Begum, Hossain Mia and Faisal and many others. They say, I have been standing in line since 10:30 am. It is almost 12 o'clock now. Unable to collect prepaid meter recharge token. I am standing in line after fasting and enduring the heat of the sun.They also complained that an officer was giving tokens in the office. His speed is also very low. As a result, the customers have to suffer a lot. If at least a few more employees were placed at the counter during the fasting month, the customers would have suffered.
In this regard, Munshiganj Sadar Pallividyut Samiti DGM Engineer Md. Enamul Haque said that the temporary problem has arisen due to the change in electricity rates. We are trying our best to solve customer problems. I have scheduled the service till extra time so that the customers do not come back to the office.
On May 7, 2017, the Power Division, following an order by the president, formulated a unified policy for all power distribution agencies and companies.
As per the policy, the consumers are paying Tk40 for single phase prepaid meters and Tk250 for three-phase meters each in monthly instalments, alongside the energy bill [for units used], demand charge and VAT.
