Navi Mumbai: Over 400 rescued homeless individuals residing at a shelter home in Panvel are grappling with a severe financial crisis triggered by exorbitant electricity bills. The Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL), which operates the facility, has sought intervention from the state government to resolve the matter.
Unreasonable billing shocks shelter administrators
Pastor K M Philip, founder of SEAL, has written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister highlighting the plight of the inmates. According to S Jainamma, administrator of SEAL, the monthly electricity bill typically amounted to around Rs 60,000. However, since April, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL) has issued bills exceeding Rs 1.9 lakh, with an additional levy of Rs 2 lakh, totaling Rs 3.8 lakh. “This amount is unaffordable and unfair,” Jainamma stated, emphasizing the lack of clear justification for the sudden spike.
CMO responds promptly
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has swiftly responded to SEAL’s plea, directing the state energy department to investigate the steep power bill issue. Pastor Philip expressed gratitude for the quick action but urged a permanent solution. “In the past 26 years, SEAL has rescued and reunited over 700 homeless people with their families. Currently, we care for 400 inmates, making such an exorbitant bill beyond our capacity,” he said.
This is not the first time SEAL has faced a power billing problem. A similar issue arose a few years ago but was resolved after intervention. The pastor appealed to the state government to address the current crisis with similar urgency.
SEAL has also informed MSEDCL that they utilize solar panel energy in parts of their campus, which should logically reduce electricity consumption and bills, not increase them. The shelter hopes for a fair reassessment of the charges.
