Mohongonj Customer Gets Power Back Three Days After Disconnection Over Bill Dispute

Swapan Mia, a customer in Mohongonj, Netrokona, got his electricity back three days after his connection was allegedly cut off following an argument over a high power bill. The Palli Bidyut Samity restored the connection at his home on Sunday afternoon.

The disconnection was reported in Prothom Alo's online edition on Saturday and in its print edition on Sunday. The power authority acted after the report was published.

Swapan Mia's wife Asma Akter told Prothom Alo by phone on Sunday evening that around 2:30 pm, three people came to their home, including two of those who had earlier disconnected the power. They connected the wire to the meter and switched the electricity back on.

Asma Akter said the men had wanted her to sign a blank sheet of paper before restoring the connection, but she refused to sign it.

She said she had asked the Palli Bidyut workers why she was being harassed simply for asking why her bill was so high. The two men then realised their mistake and apologised to her.

Asma Akter said, 'They told me not to abuse anyone. I told them I have not abused anyone. I only asked why my electricity bill was so high. Since they have restored the connection after cutting it off, and have apologised, I have no complaint against them now.'

Shah Alam, deputy general manager of Kalmakanda Palli Bidyut Samity, who is in charge as general manager of Netrokona Palli Bidyut Samity, told Prothom Alo by phone that he took the matter seriously after the report was published. He instructed the concerned staff to restore the connection the same day, and sent an officer along with the two workers to see the situation on the ground.

Shah Alam added that they are seriously looking into why the customer's connection was cut off in this manner.

Swapan Mia's home in Alipur village of Suair union in Mohongonj upazila had its electricity disconnected on Thursday afternoon. After paying Tk 3,100 together for the three months of July, August and September, the bill for October came to Tk 870.

Asma Akter alleged that the connection was cut off after an argument over that bill. Palli Bidyut officials, on the other hand, claimed the connection was disconnected because the workers were abused and an officer was threatened while the bill was being paid.