KSEB shocker to consumers

KOCHI: Those who paid the advance electricity charges to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are a distressed lot. The board deducting the newly introduced security deposits from the advance payments made by them towards electricity charges is worrying consumers. Many complaints have been filed in this regard.In a recent incident, the KSEB deducted the security deposit from the advance payment made by a consumer by mistake. In a complaint sent to Darsha D Sampat, Assistant Engineer, KSEB, Girinagar, one such consumer stated that an advance payment of Rs 12,000 made by her had not been used properly. She further pointed out that the security deposit had been deducted from this amount in spite of a written request by her not to do so.It was specifically noted that she was willing to remit the security deposit by pledging her fixed deposit or  the national savings certificate, as allowed under government regulations.“This will not only yield an interest of 10 percent or above to the consumer but also allow the KSEB to receive an equivalent grant from the state government. So  why are they demanding it by cash,” she asked.In her case, however, the KSEB officials later admitted the mistake. In the reply, the Assistant Engineer expressed regret over the mistake and said that directions were given to the officials to adjust the advance charge.