A Shared Duty in Ensuring Reliable Power Supply
Dr Asangba Tzudir
The recent announcement by the Department of Power, Electrical Division Dimapur, regarding a disconnection drive against consumers with pending electricity bills and those involved in illegal practices such as meter tampering and unauthorized load adjustment, serves as an important reminder regarding a fundamental principle, that rights have to be accompanied by responsibilities. While electricity is an indispensable part of modern life, many consumers often view electricity solely as an entitlement while overlooking the obligations that accompany its use. The department's latest initiative highlights the need for a culture of responsible consumption and civic accountability.
One of the primary responsibilities of consumers is the timely payment of electricity bills. The generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity involve substantial financial investments and considering the electricity sourced from outside, when consumers fail to pay their dues, the burden does not disappear but affects the entire system. Revenue losses greatly reduce the ability to maintain infrastructure, upgrade equipment, and improve service delivery. Ultimately, consumers suffer through poorer services, increased costs, or delayed improvements.
Equally concerning are illegal activities such as meter tampering, bypassing meter, unauthorized connections etc. Such practices amount to theft of a public utility. Power theft contributes to financial losses, increases technical strain on the distribution network, and often results in voltage fluctuations, supply disruptions and load shedding and ultimately affects everyone. In essence, such ‘illegal’ actions of a few exert costs on the wider community.
Consumer responsibility is also about maintaining transparency and cooperation with the service providers. There can be cases of discrepancies in billing or concerns regarding electricity consumption. This is where consumers should seek clarification through the appropriate channels or portal rather than withholding payments. The department has rightly encouraged consumers facing grievances to approach their respective Sub-Divisional Officers. Constructive engagement and communication are more effective than avoidance or confrontation.
The issue also has an ethical dimension. Public services function on the basis of collective trust. Roads, water supply, electricity, and other essential services can sustain ‘if and only if’ citizens contribute their fair due. Responsible consumption, therefore, is not merely a legal obligation but one that has a moral obligation. At the same time, government departments must continue to uphold efficiency and responsiveness. Consumer’s compliance grows when billing systems are accurate and where grievance mechanisms are accessible, and services are delivered fairly. Responsibility therefore is two-fold. While citizens must honor their obligations and responsibilities, public institutions must also earn public confidence through accountability, efficacy and professionalism.
The Department of Power's disconnection drive should not be simply seen as a punitive exercise but should be understood as an opportunity to inculcate a culture of being a responsible citizen. For the well-being of everyone, the responsible consumers clear their dues, and also refrain from illegal practices thereby contribute to the sustenance of the power sector.
Electricity is not sustained by infrastructure alone but by responsible consumers. As electricity demand continues to grow, its future depends not only on the power supply but very much on civic responsibility. At the end, paying bills on time and using electricity honestly is both a legal as well as moral obligation.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes guest editorials for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
