Burla/Sambalpur: Availability of electricity is considered one of the most essential for living. People need electricity along with food, water and oxygen. Since the privatisation of electricity in Odisha and especially in Western Odisha, the licensee TPWODL has taken several initiatives and implemented payment facilities with state-of-the-art technology for the comfort, and convenience of lakhs of consumers while paying their monthly electricity bills.
At the same time, the company is creating awareness among consumers to pay electricity bills on time. However, it is observed that there have been regular defaulters of electricity bills at many corners of the distribution area consisting of 9 revenue districts in Western Odisha.
Therefore, the company has once again appealed to all its consumers to avail the most convenient methodology to pay the electricity bill regularly and enjoy the rebates announced by Hon’ble OERC from time to time.
It is not out of place to mention here that, under sections 47 and 56 of the Electricity Act 2003consumer are legally obligated to pay electricity bills within the stipulated time frame. Following this, the distribution company is empowered to restrict the electricity supply to the non-paying consumers.
However, the distribution company purchases power from the state nodal agency and re-distributes it among the consumers of different segments like- domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural. The company also offers the subsidy to agricultural sectors and offers rebates as per the regulation.
Therefore, it would be not wrong to say, that the consumers are not only legally responsible but also morally responsible for nation-building.
