Instances of Indian governmental authorities faltering or providing inadequate services are far from surprising for the citizens of the country. India grapples with pervasive institutional corruption, and its system often relies on inconspicuous bureaucrats executing their responsibilities while avoiding the spotlight, fearing backlash for merely performing their duties.
A recent incident emerged from Gurgaon, where a resident named Hodal Prasad was shocked to receive an electricity bill amounting to a staggering Rs 85,79,60,865. Though these errors stem from faulty meter readings, if not swiftly rectified, they can pose immense challenges for citizens. Here are several cases where various authorities committed blunders, issuing erroneous exorbitant bills that sent shivers down the spines of citizens.
- Hodal Prasad, Gurgaon – Rs 86 crore Hodal Prasad, who had previously reported a blank display on his electricity meter, had it fixed. What unfolded next was nothing short of alarming. Prasad had typically paid electricity bills ranging between Rs. 2200 and 6000 per month. However, this time, he received a bill exceeding Rs. 85 crore. His disbelief was evident as he voiced concerns over such a bill’s potential impact on educating his children.
- Krishna Prasad, Ranchi – Rs 55 crore In Ranchi, a woman named Kunti Devi, age 55, was hospitalized after her son, Krishna Prasad, was handed an electricity bill totaling Rs 55 crore by the Jharkhand Electricity Board. The excessive bill, Rs 55,49,88,036, sent shockwaves through the family.
- Rohit Saxena, Ghaziabad – Rs 225 crore Rohit Saxena encountered an electricity bill of Rs 225 crore, leaving him astounded. The bill was for his father-in-law’s factory and was initially issued by Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. Saxena’s complaint led to a reduction in the bill to Rs 7000, but no official documentation was provided for the error correction.
- Ashok Goenka, Ludhiana – Rs 75 lakh Ashok Goenka of Ludhiana was taken aback when he received an electricity bill of Rs. 75 lakh for his residence in Mata Nagar. Despite his complaints, the authorities failed to address the issue.
- Jitendra Kumar, Gurgaon – Rs 75 crore Jitendra Kumar, a Gurgaon resident, experienced an astonishing electricity bill of Rs 75 crore, drastically deviating from his usual bill bracket of Rs 5,000 to 9,000. His efforts to rectify the issue with the electricity board proved futile.
- Sharman Kumar, Faridabad – Rs 76 crore Sharman Kumar, residing in a modest three-room house, was bewildered by a bill amounting to almost Rs. 76 crores. His ordinary consumption, around 1500 to 1600 rupees, starkly contrasted with this exorbitant sum.
These accounts underscore the recurring theme of Indian authorities issuing inflated bills, instigating anxiety and frustration among citizens. While some errors can be attributed to faulty meter readings, the consequences of such errors remain disconcerting. As India continues its battle against bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, citizens are left grappling with such erroneous bills that challenge their trust in the system.
