UP Farmer To Get Rs 1.65 Lakh Compensation From UPPCL After Fake Bills Worth Rs 5 Lakh Cause Heart Attack

In a case of sending fake bill to a farmer, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 1.65 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh Power Commission Limited (UPPCL). The commission slammed the UPPCL for its "intolerable" mistake of sending wrong bills to people. It further directed the electricity board to pay the amount within 30 days, adding that an interest rate of 12 per cent per annum will be imposed if they fail to pay the amount within the deadline.

Mahendra Chandra Yadav, the victim from Belvadaar village of Basti district, said that the corporation sent him wrong bill twice even after he informed them. Yadav, in an application to the commission chairman Amarjeet Verma and member Ajay Prakash Singh stated that he had applied for getting a private tube well in 2017. Yadav added that that electricity department assured that he will be provided the license soon.

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However, he later stated that though the tube well line was not connected, the electricity department sent him a bill of Rs 4,10,255 on June 20, 2022. He filed an application objecting to the bill, stating that he got the bill even without getting the service.

However, his misery continued when he was served a bill of Rs 53,355 again on October 6, 2023. Yadav added that he got a heart attack upon receiving the second bill and was rushed to the nearest hospital for the treatment. He approached the commission after the electricity board did not respond even submitting written complaints to the officials.

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The commission has rejected the electricity bills sent to the farmer and has directed the electricity board to install the connection as well. Apart from this, the electricity board was also asked to pay Rs 50,000 for the mental trauma, Rs 1 lakh for the treatment, Rs 5,000 for the delay in acceptance and Rs 10,000 for the lawyer's fees.