Getting a sudden high electricity bill can be stressful — but there are official ways to raise the issue and get it investigated or corrected. Here’s what you need to know and do.
📍 1. First — Check Your Bill Carefully
Before complaining:
- Compare your current bill units with the last few months.
- Check if the meter reading matches what’s printed on the bill.
- Sometimes average billing or wrong meter entry causes inflated bills.
If the meter reading is different from what’s on your bill, that’s strong evidence to support your complaint.
☎️ 2. Call the electricity Board Helpdesk
Every state power utility or DISCOM in india has a toll‑free helpline where you can report billing issues directly by phone.
📌 Helpline Number (Common Across Many Boards):
➡️ 1912 — often the central electricity complaint number for billing and service issues.
You can also find your local board’s contact number on the electricity bill itself.
When you call:
- Provide your consumer number (from the bill)
- Mention the high bill amount and billing period
- Ask for a complaint reference number to track your case
🌐 3. Register Complaint Online
Most electricity boards provide online portals where you can file a grievance about billing issues:
🖥️ Steps:
Visit your state electricity board website
Look for “Complaint/Grievance” or “Billing Issues” section
Enter your consumer number and bill details
Describe the issue (e.g., High bill not matching actual meter reading)
Upload supporting documents like photos of the meter reading and past bills
Submit and note the complaint number
✔️ Boards like UPPCL, TNEB/TANGEDCO, BESCOM and others have online forms/apps.
📱 4. Use mobile Apps (Where Available)
Many utilities support mobile app complaints:
- UPPCL has “UPPCL 24X7 BIJLEE” app for bill disputes.
- BESCOM also lets you register and track complaints via its app.
- TANGEDCO’s app allows complaints on the go.
Apps often let you:
✔ Attach photos of meter readings
✔ Track status in real time
✔ Get updates by SMS or push alert
🧾 5. Provide Strong Supporting Details
To make your complaint more effective, include:
📌 Your consumer/account number
📌 Bill number and billing period
📌 Clear photos of the current and previous meter readings
📌 Any past bills for comparison
Good evidence speeds up resolution and shows that the bill doesn’t reflect real usage.
🏢 6. Visit the local electricity office (Optional)
If online or phone complaints don’t work:
- Visit your nearest district DISCOM office or customer care centre
- Carry a copy of the bill, your photo ID, and proof of meter reading
- Submit a written complaint and ask for an acknowledgment/receipt
This in‑person approach sometimes gets faster action.
📍 7. Escalate if Not Resolved
If your complaint isn’t addressed within a reasonable time:
📌 Next Level Options:
- Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) — each electricity board has one
- Electricity Ombudsman — a government authority that hears unresolved cases
- Consumer Court/National Consumer Helpline — for disputes causing financial loss
These are official dispute resolution bodies you can approach if the board fails to correct an erroneous bill.
📊 8. What Happens After You Complain
Once filed:
✔ You should get a complaint number
✔ A technician or field officer may be sent to verify the meter or billing data
✔ If an error is found, the board will reissue a corrected/revised bill
✔ You can track the status online or via the app/helpline
This is standard practice for billing disputes, including high or abnormal charges.
📌 Summary — Best Way to Complain
Check meter reading and compare with previous bills 🧾
Call the helpline (e.g., 1912) ☎️
File complaint online on board’s portal 💻
Use mobile app where available 📱
Provide clear evidence (photos) 📸
Visit local office if needed 🏢
Escalate to CGRF/Ombudsman if unresolved ⚖️
✔ Tip: Always keep a record of your complaint number and notes of conversations — this helps if you need to follow up or escalate later.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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