Haryana Man Gets ₹1.45 Crore Power Bill

Haryana  In a bizarre and deeply distressing incident in Haryana, a local resident reportedly suffered a heart attack after receiving a staggering electricity bill of ₹1.45 crore. The unimaginable amount left the family in utter shock and disbelief. The incident has raised serious concerns about the accuracy and accountability of electricity billing systems in the state.

The incident came to light from the Ambala region, where the family of the affected man said that he collapsed on the spot upon seeing the massive bill. “We were terrified. He opened the bill and just froze. Moments later, he clutched his chest and fell. We had to rush him to the hospital,” said a family member, visibly shaken by the ordeal.

According to the family, when they reached out to the electricity department for clarification, they were met with indifference. “We were told to go and speak to Minister Anil Vij if we had a problem,” the relative added. This response only added to the family’s frustration and sense of helplessness. “We are ordinary people. How can we suddenly be asked to pay ₹1.45 crore? This isn’t just a technical error — it’s negligence,” said another member of the household.

The issue quickly attracted public attention, prompting a statement from the concerned electricity department. The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) acknowledged the blunder and admitted that it was a clerical error. “We deeply regret the mistake. It was due to a technical glitch in the billing software. The actual payable amount is just a few hundred rupees. We have already initiated the correction process,” the SDO explained.

Despite the clarification, the damage had already been done. The trauma experienced by the family, especially the patient who suffered a heart attack, has stirred public outrage. Social media was flooded with reactions, with many calling for stricter oversight and more humane treatment of consumers.

Locals in the area also gathered in support of the family, demanding a formal apology from the department and proper compensation for the medical expenses incurred. “This isn’t just about one wrong bill. It’s about the fear and mental stress caused to a common man due to the incompetence of the system,” said one resident.

This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Similar cases of inflated electricity bills have been reported in various parts of the country, raising serious questions about system errors, lack of monitoring, and customer grievance redressal mechanisms.

Experts believe that this case should be taken as a wake-up call. “Power departments must prioritize customer experience and implement checks to prevent such shocking errors. One wrong number can ruin someone’s life,” said a consumer rights advocate.

As of now, the family is focused on the recovery of their loved one, but they demand accountability and assurance that such mistakes will not recur. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked a wider debate about the need for reforms in the billing and service departments of public utilities.