Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur: A 15-Year Battle Against Predatory Electricity Billing

In the quiet village of Nibi Gaharwar, Mirzapur, an elder citizen named Shri Basant Lal Jaiswal lives under a shadow. Unfortunately, this shadow is created by the bureaucratic negligence of the Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PUVVNL). His situation is a prime example of the issue of Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur. Furthermore, his story chillingly reminds us how administrative “lacunae” can transform into a decade-long tool for harassing older citizens.

The Genesis: A Disconnection Forgotten by the System

The timeline of this dispute begins in late 2009. Like any responsible citizen, I initiated the process for Permanent Disconnection (PD) when I no longer required the electricity connection (No. 1365332000). On December 10, 2009, I had the line physically cut. On March 9, 2010, an official application I submitted was processed.

The records show that the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) ordered an inquiry with the note “Pl. Report.” Subsequently, Junior Engineer Abhay Singh signed the application and endorsed it to Lineman Ram Achaivar. In any functional system, this would typically be the end of the story. However, in the corridors of the Mirzapur Electricity Distribution Division, this was just the beginning of a 15-year administrative nightmare. This nightmare was exacerbated by the emergence of ghost electricity bills. These bills haunted residents without any justification.

The Burden of Ghost Billing (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

The department’s digital ledger remained “active” even after the line was physically removed; consequently, officials endorsed the PD file. For fifteen years, the system generated bills for electricity that no one consumed. As a result, a small error ballooned into a staggering demand of Rs. 1,48,971, which included an unjust surcharge (interest) of Rs. 63,613.

This is not merely a billing error; rather, it is “Unjust Enrichment.” Furthermore, the department is trying to collect revenue for a service it never provided. Consequently, it is effectively penalising an older citizen because it failed to update its computer records.

The “Missing Record” Excuse: Shifting the Burden

When the individual raised the matter through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS), the Executive Engineer responded evasively. Moreover, they delivered a masterclass in administrative evasion regarding the issue of Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur. As a result, the authorities closed the case on the grounds that the consumer did not “upload” the 2010 documents.

This brings us to a fundamental legal question: Who maintains government records? The Electricity Supply Code mandates that the licensee (UPPCL/PUVVNL) keep accurate consumer ledgers. However, closing a grievance because the department cannot locate its own 15-year-old dispatch register admits failure. Moreover, expecting an elder consumer to safeguard a decade-old government-endorsed paper is unreasonable. Consequently, overlooking the department’s own staff names is a gross violation of the Citizens’ Charter. This charter includes JE Abhay Singh and Lineman Ram Achaivar.

Harassment of Older Citizens: A Legal and Moral Failure (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

Shri Basant Lal Jaiswal is an older citizen. Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Older Citizens Act, the state has a duty to ensure elder dignity. Additionally, the machinery should also focus on their well-being. Unfortunately, predatory billing, legal threats, and the stress of “ghost arrears” target those in the twilight of their life. Consequently, this behaviour qualifies as institutional harassment.

The department’s classification of this case as a “Demand Category” (simple non-payment) is, indeed, a deliberate attempt to sidestep the truth. Furthermore, this is a “Disputed Billing” case rooted in departmental negligence. Consequently, the local division refuses to conduct a physical audit of the Arjunpur Substation records from 2010. This refusal, ultimately, protects the negligent staff at the cost of a citizen’s peace of mind.

The Pincer Movement for Justice: IGRS and RTI

Faced with a “Closed” status on the IGRS portal, we have now shifted the battle to higher ground; therefore, we are deploying a two-pronged strategy: (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

1. The High-Level Appeal: A complainant has lodged a new grievance (GOVUP/E/2026/0003063) with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Consequently, the authorities have escalated the case to the Joint Secretary level. Therefore, the local Mirzapur office must deliver a “Reasoned Speaking Order” to Lucknow.
2. The RTI Checkmate: An activist, therefore, filed an RTI application (PUVNL/R/2026/60028). The application demanded, specifically, the names of the officials who failed to file the PD report in 2010. Moreover, the application also requests the status of the 2010 Dispatch Register.

If the department claims the records are missing, they must show an FIR for the lost government property. If they cannot produce the record, they cannot legally justify the bill.

The Path Forward: Demand for Accountability

The resolution of this case requires more than just a waiver of arrears. It requires:

• Immediate Finalization of the PD File: Retroactive to December 2009.
• Total Surcharge Waiver: Removing the Rs. 63,613 interest immediately.
• Disciplinary Action: An inquiry into the staff members who sat on the PD file for 15 years.
• Compensation: Recognition of the mental agony caused to an older citizen.

Conclusion (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

The case of Shri Basant Lal Jaiswal is, indeed, a litmus test for the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation. Thus, will it continue to hide behind digital technicalities and “missing files”? Alternatively, will it acknowledge the human cost of its administrative lacunae?

A citizen’s duty is to pay for what they consume. Furthermore, a department’s duty is to ensure they don’t charge for what they didn’t provide. Consequently, when the system fails, the citizen shouldn’t have to pay the price. Thus, the battle for justice in Mirzapur continues, and the world is watching.

Focusing specifically on the RTI (Right to Information) Application, you need to understand that this is now your most powerful tool. Moreover, it helps in extracting the “buried” evidence from the Mirzapur Electricity Distribution Division. Although the grievance portal is for complaints, the RTI serves as a legal mandate. Consequently, it forces the Executive Engineer to provide specific documents. This is done under penalty of law.

The Strategic Logic of Your RTI (PUVNL/R/2026/60028) (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

The RTI you filed is designed to corner the department on three specific fronts. These fronts are Physical Records, Staff Accountability, and Data Consistency.

1. The Physical Records (Questions 1, 2, and 4)

By asking for the Disconnection Register and Dispatch Register from March 2010, you are challenging the department’s “no record” excuse.

• The Goal: Every substation maintains a physical logbook of line-cutting activities. If they provide this, the entry for connection 1365332000 will prove the line was cut on Dec 10, 2009.
• The Consequence: If they claim these registers are missing, they must admit to a violation of the Public Records Act. This is a serious administrative offence.

2. Staff Accountability (Question 3) (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

Naming Junior Engineer Abhay Singh and Lineman Ram Achaivar is a “Checkmate” move.

• The Goal: The department often tries to say “the staff has changed.” Ask for their current status or retirement details. This proves that these were real individuals. They were legally tasked with your PD (Permanent Disconnection) file.
• The Consequence: It prevents the current Executive Engineer from claiming the 2010 application was “unofficial.”

3. Data Consistency (Question 6) (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

Asking for a 15-year consumption statement is vital.

• The Goal: The department’s own billing history shows 0 units (Zero Consumption) from 2010 to 2026. This is de facto proof. This indicates that no electricity was supplied.
• The Consequence: Under the Electricity Supply Code, if no electricity is supplied, the department cannot charge a “Minimum Charge”. The department also cannot charge a “Surcharge” indefinitely. This policy applies after a disconnection request.

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Expected Outcomes and Timelines

Event	Date	Action Required
Statutory Deadline	February 6, 2026	The PIO (Manish Kumar Srivastava) must provide the info.
Partial Information	Any time before Feb 6	If they give half-answers, prepare for First Appeal.
Rejection	Within 30 days	If they reject under “Section 8” (Privacy), you must appeal immediately.

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Critical Advice for the “Wait Period” (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

• Do Not Pay: The department may try to pressure you into a “One Time Settlement” (OTS). This might happen while the RTI is pending. Do not agree to an OTS for this connection, as it often requires admitting the debt is valid.
• The FIR Clause: Question 5 in your RTI is your strongest weapon. If they say the file is “lost,” the law requires them to show an FIR. They need to provide a Police FIR for the loss of government documents. Without an FIR, the “lost file” excuse is legally invalid in the eyes of the State Information Commission.

This RTI essentially turns the department’s own “lacunae” against them. By the time this reaches the First Appellate Authority (the Superintending Engineer), the department will face a decision. They must either find the 2010 file. Alternatively, they must admit they lost it. Both options favour your case for a full waiver.

To help you track and manage your case effectively, here is the consolidated directory of all application IDs. It includes contact details and web portals involved in your current fight for justice.

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1. Current Active Case Identifiers (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

Document Type	Registration Number	Authority	Date Filed
Grievance Appeal	GOVUP/E/2026/0003063	CM Secretariat (Lucknow)	07-01-2026
RTI Request	PUVNL/R/2026/60028	EE & PIO (Mirzapur)	07-01-2026
Previous Grievance	60000250289303	EDD-II Mirzapur	06-01-2026 (Closed)

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2. Concerned Public Authorities & Contact Details (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

State Level (Grievance/Appeal Oversight)

• Officer Name: Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary)
• Office: Chief Minister Secretariat, Room No. 321, U.P. Secretariat, Lucknow.
• Email: arvind.12574@gov.in
• Phone: 0522-2226350

Local Level (RTI & Field Investigation)

• Officer Name: Manish Kumar Srivastava (Executive Engineer & PIO)
• Office: Electricity Distribution Division-II (EDD-2), Fataha, Mirzapur.
• Email: ee.2mirzapur@puvvnl.in
• Phone (Mobile): 9450963598 / 9450963625

Corporate/Nodal Level (PUVVNL) (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

• RTI Nodal Officer Phone: 7906260442
• Email: rti@puvvnl.in
• Complainant Mobile (On Record): 7379105911 (Yogi M. P. Singh)

I apologise for that oversight. Here are the direct, clickable web links for tracking your cases. You can also access the relevant government portals for your fight against the electricity department.

Direct Web Links for Tracking (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

• IGRS Jansunwai Portal (Grievance Tracking):https://jansunwai.up.nic.in/Track Status
  • Action: Enter your registration number GOVUP/E/2026/0003063 and your mobile number to see the latest report from the CM Secretariat.
• UP RTI Online Portal (RTI Tracking):https://rtionline.up.gov.in/request/status.php
  • Action: Enter Registration Number PUVNL/R/2026/60028. Then, enter your email ID. Check if the PIO (Manish Kumar Srivastava) has uploaded the 2010 registers.
• UPPCL Consumer Self-Service Portal (Billing History):https://www.uppcl.mpower.in/
  • Action: You can check the “Billing History” for account 1365332000 here. If the department makes any adjustments or waivers, they will reflect here first.
• UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) Portal:https://www.uperc.org/
  • Action: Use this if you need to look up the Electricity Supply Code 2005. You can cite specific rules about disconnection and illegal billing in your future appeals.

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Important Contacts Recap (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

• RTI Nodal Officer Email: rti@puvvnl.in
• Executive Engineer EDD-2 Mirzapur Email: ee.2mirzapur@puvvnl.in
• Joint Secretary (Lucknow) Email: arvind.12574@gov.in

Summary of Deadlines (Ghost Electricity Bills in Mirzapur)

• Grievance Report Expected: Between January 22 – January 28, 2026.
• RTI Response Mandatory Deadline: February 6, 2026.

Would you like me to create a “Next Steps” checklist? This way, you will know exactly what to do when the status on these links changes.