Varanasi: A major irregularity has surfaced in the electricity bill payment system of the Chowkaghat Division under Purvanchal Discom, where agents of fintech agency BLS International are accused of collecting bill payments from consumers but failing to deposit the money into official accounts, instead issuing fake payment receipts.
Paid in March, Shocked in April: Consumers Stunned as Old Dues Reappear
The issue came to light after consumer complaints linked to the Kashi Vidyapeeth substation. The development has triggered concern within the department and raised serious questions over the billing and collection mechanism being operated through outsourced agencies.
According to preliminary findings, several consumers had paid their pending electricity bills in March. However, when new bills were generated in April, the amounts reflected were unexpectedly higher. This led to suspicion among consumers, who approached the billing counters for clarification. Initially, they were told a technical glitch had caused the discrepancy, and new receipts were issued. The matter escalated when consumers escalated their complaints to senior officials.
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Fake Slips, Missing Money: Suspicion Falls on Counter Agents
Subsequent checks revealed at least 22 suspicious payment receipts, raising concerns that the payments had not been properly accounted for in the system. Officials suspect that agents operating under the fintech agency collected cash from consumers but failed to deposit it into the departmental account, allegedly misappropriating it for personal gain. Consumers were reportedly assured that their payments had been updated in the system, only to later learn that this was false.
The responsibility for electricity bill collection and deposit had been assigned to BLS International, which set up multiple counters across divisions and substations. Agents were deployed at these counters to facilitate bill payments. The alleged manipulation by some agents has now exposed serious loopholes in monitoring and verification mechanisms.
Department Fears Fraud May Be Bigger Than Expected
Following the complaints, the Executive Engineer, Kumar Saurabh, initiated a departmental inquiry. The probe has revealed multiple irregularities, prompting concerns that the scam may not be limited to a single substation but could have wider implications across multiple locations. A detailed audit of records and transaction data has now been ordered.
The incident has sparked anger among consumers in Chowkaghat and surrounding areas. Many have expressed frustration, stating that despite timely payment of electricity bills, they are being forced to deal with discrepancies and uncertainty regarding their payments. Several consumers have demanded a thorough, independent investigation of the entire billing and collection system to ensure transparency and accountability.
Outsourced Collection System in Trouble: BLS Counters Face Tough Scrutiny
Meanwhile, officials are reviewing all collection counters and scrutinizing past transaction records. Authorities have indicated that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in wrongdoing. The agency’s operations and agent deployment may also be re-evaluated to strengthen the system and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case has now grown beyond a local issue, raising broader concerns about the credibility and security of outsourced electricity billing systems. According to departmental sources, a comprehensive report will be submitted to higher authorities after completion of the investigation, following which further action will be decided.
For now, a detailed examination of both physical records and digital transactions is underway, as officials work to establish the full extent of the alleged scam. The incident continues to draw attention and discussion among consumers, highlighting growing concerns over trust in billing and payment systems.
