Tanishaa Mukerji Voices Concerns Over High Electricity Bills in Lonavala
Actress Raises Alarm on Electricity Billing Issues
File image of actress Tanishaa Mukerji(Photo: @Weekendvibes_/X)
Mumbai, Sep 29: Actress Tanishaa Mukerji has brought attention to the problem of exorbitant electricity bills in Lonavala. On Tuesday, she took to her X account, formerly known as Twitter, to express her frustration with the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, labeling them as a “mafia.”
In her post, she stated, “The Maharashtra State Electricity Board in Lonavala is acting like a mafia! They are issuing enormous bills and coercing payments by disconnecting electricity.”
She continued, “This is outright criminal! Coming on a Saturday evening to cut off power even before the due date is holding residents hostage. @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @myogiadityanath @AmitShah @TataPower, please visit Lonavala! There is no regulation. They are operating without accountability! #inhuman.”
Recent grievances regarding inflated electricity bills in Maharashtra have increasingly focused on the introduction of smart meters by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), commonly referred to as Mahavitaran. Consumers in regions such as Thane, Vasai-Virar, Palghar, and Ulhasnagar have reported bills significantly higher than their usual consumption, with some claiming sudden increases following meter replacements.
In one notable incident, a household in Nagpur received a staggering bill of INR 1.44 lakh for just 348 units. MSEDCL later admitted to a meter-reading error and adjusted the bill to approximately INR 13,800.
MSEDCL asserts that smart meters do not automatically record higher usage and states that billing issues can be resolved through meter testing. In Thane, the company has announced plans to install traditional “check meters” alongside 20–25% of new smart meters to compare readings over a period of two to three months.
Additionally, the authorities have set up camps and deployed technical teams to address complaints and investigate disputed bills and meters.