The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Software responsible for BSES billing errors'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Software responsible for BSES billing errors'

By Lalit K. Jha

NEW DELHI, JAN.1. A corrupt software and defective computer programming has been responsible for the billing errors of BSES, according to top officials of the power distribution company.

This is perhaps the first time that BSES officials have acknowledged that the fault was in their own system and that the complaints of consumers about fast running of electric meters and billing errors were genuine.

Though the problem with the software and computer programming is understood to have been "detected" by senior discom officials a few months ago and necessary rectification measures were initiated soon thereafter, BSES was reluctant earlier to admit that the fault was in its own system

"A new software with a foolproof computer programming has been developed and it has already replaced the old system. But the damage has already been done," conceded a BSES official. ``It will take another few months before consumers start receiving error-free bills.''

However, officials refused to disclose if any action had been initiated against computer programmers who developed the defective programme that corrupted the software. "It was the prime reason for such a large number of complaints about errors in electricity bills," he said.

The enormity of billing errors can be gauged from the fact that at one point in time, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had to summon BSES officials and ask them to rectify its faulty system. The BSES had admitted that as many as four-fifths of the bills issued by it had some mistake or the other.

The DERC figures had revealed that almost all complaints regarding billing errors were from the BSES areas and there were hardly any from those of the North Delhi Power, the third discom. Senior BSES officials conceded that there was no decline in the billing errors even after the expiry of the DERC deadline of March 31, 2004.

While a majority of consumers complained of inflated billings, at times five times the average monthly bill -- a few lucky consumers in Old Rajinder Nagar "hit a jackpot" when they were informed that they had paid over a lakh in excess and the extra amount would be adjusted over the next few years.

"When we reached the BSES office to get our bills corrected, there was no redressal. Consumers including senior citizens were asked to run from pillar to post to get their bill corrected," rued the New Rajinder Nagar RWA general secretary, D. M. Narang.

Mr. Narang has demanded the BSES compensate all those consumers who received incorrect bills due to the corrupt software and defective computer programming. "What is our fault? Who will compensate for the agony and distress we went though? asked Mr. Narang.

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