Digital Meter or Digital Danger? Zero Usage But Thousand Taka Bills Shock Consumers
Digital Meter or Digital Danger? Zero Usage But Thousand Taka Bills Shock Consumers
Imagine receiving a four-figure electricity bill when you haven't even used power. This nightmare scenario has become routine for many Bangladeshi consumers after the installation of digital meters, raising serious questions about the new technology's reliability.
Across rural and semi-urban areas, complaints about abnormal bills have skyrocketed. Cases include:
• A Gopalganj resident receiving bills during daily 4-hour load-shedding periods
• A Naogaon household charged 1,135 Taka despite being vacant all month
• Patuakhali consumers reporting 300% bill increases post-installation
The most alarming discovery? Meters continue pulsing (recording usage) even during power outages. Consumers report:
"When there's no electricity, how can the meter run? This is daylight robbery!"
- Mofizur Rahman, Gopalganj
Technical Possibilities:
1. Backup battery keeping meter active
2. Faulty sensors registering phantom loads
3. Improper calibration during installation
While power authorities claim meters meet international standards, field evidence suggests otherwise. A confidential source admitted:
"Many meters weren't properly tested during installation. Reading errors also occur. We're investigating each complaint."
- Unnamed Utility Official
Technology analysts identify multiple potential issues:
• Standby load miscalculations
• Poor installation practices
• Lack of consumer education about new technology
Affected households demand:
1. High-level investigation committee
2. Transparent meter testing process
3. Compensation for overcharged consumers
The Big Question: If digital technology increases public suffering rather than service quality, was this transition really necessary?
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