SRINAGAR: Consumers across several villages in Uri have expressed concern over ‘misprinted’ electricity bills issued by the Power Development Department, saying the errors are causing repeated inconvenience.
A local delegation said that the bills are issued every month but often carry unclear consumer names and numbers. “Due to this, banks refuse to accept the bills for payment. Consumers said bank staff repeatedly point out that the consumer numbers are illegible, making it impossible to process payments.”
Affected residents said they are forced to make multiple visits to banks and electricity offices to confirm their consumer numbers. They said the problem persists despite their willingness to clear electricity dues on time. Consumers questioned why the department fails to issue properly printed bills.
A bank employee corroborating the claims said that many electricity bills received at banks contain ‘unclear details’. The official said such bills cannot be posted and staff are compelled to contact consumers to obtain correct consumer numbers.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer, PDD Sub Division Uri, Irfan Latief, said that the issue was caused by a technical fault in the department’s printer. He said the problem has now been rectified and a new printer has also been installed. He assured that electricity bills issued in the future will be clearly printed and free of such errors. (GNS)
