Kamalganj Residents Protest Irregular Electricity Billing Surge

Residents of Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar have expressed growing concern and frustration over unusually high electricity bills issued by the Rural Electrification Board’s cooperative association, with many alleging significant discrepancies between actual consumption and billed amounts.

Over the past several months, consumers have reported receiving electricity bills that are several times higher than their usual monthly charges. The sudden increase has sparked widespread dissatisfaction, particularly among low-income households and small business owners who say they are struggling to keep up with the unexpected financial pressure.

Local residents allege that bills are being generated on estimated usage rather than actual meter readings conducted in the field. In many cases, consumers claim that no regular physical verification of meters has been carried out for extended periods, resulting in accumulated or incorrect calculations being presented in a single billing cycle.

Imran Mia, a shopkeeper in the Sadar Union, said his small retail outlet typically incurs a monthly electricity bill of around 500 to 600 taka. However, in June, he was issued a bill amounting to 4,800 taka. After raising concerns and requesting a meter check, he found that the recorded consumption did not align with his actual usage. Following his complaint, the bill was later revised and reduced to 1,800 taka.

Another trader from Vanugach Bazar, Abdul Odud, reported a different complication. He said that although all previous bills had been cleared, an old outstanding bill from a previous year was suddenly added to his current statement. This, he added, caused confusion and forced him to repeatedly visit the electricity office, disrupting his business activities.

Similar complaints have emerged from several unions, including Vanugach, Munshibazar, Patanushar, Alinagar and Madhabpur. Residents across these areas describe a pattern of irregular billing, where multiple months’ usage is often combined into a single invoice without clear explanation or timely meter readings.

Local sources also suggest that in some instances, designated field staff are not regularly visiting households to record meter readings. Instead, bills are reportedly prepared after long intervals, leading to cumulative charges that do not accurately reflect monthly consumption patterns.

The situation has further worsened due to grievances about service conditions at the local electricity office. A number of consumers claim they are required to wait for extended periods without receiving proper resolution. Some also allege discourteous behaviour from officials and, in certain cases, warnings of disconnection when disputes are raised regarding billing errors.

Acknowledging the issue, Deputy General Manager of the Kamalganj regional office under the Moulvibazar Rural Electrification Association, Ranjan Kumar Ghosh, stated that recent changes in the management system have contributed to complications in billing for some consumers. He explained that the integration of older accounts into a new system has led to inconsistencies, adding that corrective measures are expected to be implemented soon.

Meanwhile, affected residents are urging authorities to ensure accurate meter readings on a regular basis and to rectify erroneous bills without delay. They warn that without prompt intervention, public suffering and dissatisfaction are likely to intensify further across the upazila.