Indore: A notice to pay electricity bill of Rs 1.82 lakh shocked a farmer in the drought-hit Malhargarh tehsil of Mandsaur district so much that he had to be admitted to primary health care centre for high blood pressure and uneasiness.
Resident of Virat Colony, Mahendra Gehlot suffered from chest pain and uneasiness when he received an envelope through the registered post containing a notice from electricity firm asking Gehlot to pay his outstanding dues of Rs 1.82 lakh within 30 days. Gehlot was at its wits end to see such a huge electricity bill and had to be admitted to primary health care centre for treatment.
"The notice from vigilance department of state power distribution company stated that electricity is being consumed commercially whereas I just have a 5 horse power agriculture connection for crop irrigation," said Gehlot adding that there is no water in the well and his irrigation land was only of 2.5 bigha.
Not only Gehlot but several other farmers complained about inflated electricity bills and alleged that power distribution firm had slapped such notices to complete its target. While fearing action and public humiliation many paid their dues by selling crops or by taking money on interest.
Junior engineer at Pipliya power distribution company, Chandra Shekhar Soni said, "Vigilance team had sent the notice directly after doing their inspection. There is no relation whatsoever with the local office of the firm in this incident." G B Sharma Incharge, flying squad of the power distribution company said, "I cannot provide the information about any particular case off-hand.
Nearly a fortnight ago, a woman of Kharagondi village in Betul district consumed poison after receiving a notice to pay electricity bill of Rs 15,000. The woman Phoolo Bai had taken money on interest for farming. But, due to bad weather she suffered crop loss and top it all she received a whopping electricity bill of Rs 15,000. Running in debt, the woman consumed poison when her husband was not at home. However, she recuperated following treatment
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