TGPDCL allegedly threatens consumers over power outage complaints

HYDERABAD: In a shocking incident, Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd (TGSPDCL) officials allegedly threatened a consumer with extra billing for daring to complain about a power outage on social media. The incident highlights a growing concern that consumers are rendered powerless and unable to voice their grievances.

In Raghavendra Colony, Qutbullapur, a tenant filed a complaint on May 7 at around 9:43 pm after the electricity went off for over three hours. He posted his grievance on X (formerly Twitter), including his service number.

An employee of TGSPDCL tracked down the homeowner using the service number and threatened him with inflated charges if the tweet was not deleted. "I'm living in a rented house. They are threatening my owner, saying we will add extra charges on the meter. My owner told me not to post complaints on Twitter but to inform him instead," the consumer revealed.

In May 2024, the consumer's bill was Rs 238, but it skyrocketed to Rs 820 this month. "Now I got an Rs 820 bill. My room has 2 fans, 3 lights, and 1 fridge. This is how the Congress government is working," he lamented.

This isn't an isolated incident. In the past, TGSPDCL staff in Chevella allegedly threatened a consumer to delete a tweet about a power problem. The power distribution company's actions suggest that consumers are being punished with extra billing for speaking out, leaving them powerless and without a platform to complain.