Consumers of Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) have raised serious concerns about alleged harassment by field staff despite the government’s promotion of online complaint mechanisms. Multiple complaints have emerged suggesting that Assistant Engineers (AEs) and departmental personnel are taking offense to online grievances and allegedly retaliating against consumers who file complaints through official channels.
According to reports, consumers who register complaints online are facing intimidation tactics from local electricity department staff. The alleged harassment includes disconnection of meter connections over pending Additional Current Demand (ACD) payments that reportedly do not appear on official bills. Consumers claim these actions appear to be driven by personal grudges rather than legitimate billing issues.
In a concerning development, field staff are reportedly pressuring consumers to join WhatsApp groups created by department personnel for lodging complaints, while actively discouraging them from posting grievances on Twitter. Sources suggest that staff members are uncomfortable with social media complaints because these posts trigger calls from the head office, leading to scrutiny of their work and conduct.
The situation highlights a disconnect between the government’s stated policy of encouraging online complaints and the ground reality where consumers face potential retaliation. The practice of creating informal WhatsApp groups for complaints raises questions about transparency and proper documentation of consumer grievances, which are essential for accountability in public service delivery.
Affected consumers have called upon TGSPDCL management to investigate these allegations and take corrective action. They argue that if the company officially promotes online complaint registration, field staff should not be permitted to intimidate or harass consumers who utilize these channels. The issue of disconnecting power supply over disputed charges that do not appear on bills is particularly troubling for affected households.
