Thane Industrial Body Alleges Double Billing, Cites Tribunal Ruling
Thane, April 5 — The Thane Small Scale Industries Association (TSSIA) has raised a strong objection to the continued collection of wheeling charges by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), urging citizens to actively oppose what it described as an "illegal and unjust practice."At a press conference held on Friday, TSSIA chairman Ninad Jaywant, along with other office-bearers, accused MSEDCL of illegally levying wheeling charges on nearly 3 crore electricity consumers over the past seven years. The association also alleged that these charges were not transparently accounted for in MSEDCL’s financial statements.
Wheeling Charges Meant Only for Open-Access Consumers, Says TSSIA
Citing a ruling by the Electricity Appellate Tribunal (APTEL), the TSSIA emphasized that wheeling charges are legally applicable only to open-access consumers — those who purchase power from third-party suppliers. Retail consumers, who receive electricity directly from government-approved distribution companies (DISCOMs) like MSEDCL, should not be subjected to these charges.“Retail consumers are already billed under MERC-approved tariffs, which cover both transmission and distribution costs,” said Jaywant. “Charging additional wheeling fees amounts to double billing — a clear violation of legal norms.”
Revised Tariffs Could Spike Upcoming Electricity Bills
The TSSIA also warned that MSEDCL, which has been operating under financial stress for years, has recently revised its electricity tariffs. This move is expected to result in significantly higher bills for consumers in the upcoming cycles.Despite the association's prolonged campaign against the wheeling charges, TSSIA officials acknowledged that real change will only come if citizens across Maharashtra speak up against the practice.
“Public pressure is crucial,” they stated, calling on consumers to demand transparency and legality in electricity billing.
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