Ministry of Industry and Trade calls on people to monitor... electricity meters

Regarding the strong fluctuations in electricity bills in August, the electricity industry is calling on people to participate in monitoring and recording monthly meter readings.

Electricity prices continued to be a "hot" topic at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the afternoon of July 7. In particular, the press continuously questioned the situation of bills "increasing - decreasing" suddenly in June. In Hanoi's inner city, many households had their electricity bills doubled, even many times higher than previous months. Meanwhile, in the suburbs, the bills were reduced compared to actual usage.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested an inspection. Out of 100 households complaining about electricity prices, 72% of complaints used more than 400 numbers.

Present at this month's press conference, Mr. Nguyen Quang Trung - Deputy General Director of Hanoi Electricity Corporation (EVN HANOI) affirmed that in all cases mentioned by the newspaper with specific addresses, the Corporation has sent management units to work specifically with customers. Through explanation and discussion, customers agreed with the company's inspection method, some customers did not agree, so the Electricity Company sent the meter for inspection.

Regarding the electricity bills in Hanoi's inner city being "increased" by 2 or 3 times compared to normal, Mr. Trung said that there may be errors in the process of recording the bill index. If any violations are discovered, EVN HANOI is ready to cancel the electricity bill and reprint it.

In addition, this representative also added that the increase in electricity bills is not due to the application of the new electricity price list from June 1, 2014, and that the electricity price from June 1 even reduces consumption costs for customers.

With the same content, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai once again emphasized that on June 1, the Ministry of Industry and Trade only changed the electricity price list, not increased the price. However, Deputy Minister Hai also noted that in the coming time, not only electricity but also gasoline will move towards market prices.

"I also heard about the case of two workers in Soc Son violating the law. For now, they have been fired and appropriate measures will be taken to avoid affecting people's daily electricity needs," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Mr. Hai also shared, "Many people around my house also wondered why the electricity bill was lower than previous months. In fact, if the electricity bill was compensated according to 3 levels, the price would decrease, not increase."
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Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested an inspection. Of the 100 households complaining about electricity prices, 72% of the complaints used over 400 numbers; 28% used over 100 - 400 numbers; there was no case using under 100 numbers. Under 100 numbers are people who use little, poor households. If that group increases by a few numbers, it will be a big problem - Mr. Hai said. "If 72% of the complaints use over 400 numbers, then we must review specifically how, what is the problem?".

On the side of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Deputy Director Dinh The Phuc analyzed that the strong fluctuations in electricity bills could be due to an increase in electricity prices, or possibly due to an increase in electricity consumption due to the hot season. In fact, June 1 is an adjustment of the parameters for calculating electricity prices, not an increase in electricity prices. Household electricity prices have decreased. Comparing the new electricity price list - using 100 numbers has decreased by 825 VND; 200 numbers has decreased by 19,800 VND; 400 numbers has decreased by 38,000 VND. With the same output, the electricity price will decrease, not increase, Mr. Phuc reaffirmed.

Mr. Phuc also called on all people to participate in monitoring the electricity industry and recording monthly meter readings. On the day of meter readings, they can monitor and view them with the electricity industry. "Thanks to the press, thanks to the press, we know about the high electricity bills" - a representative of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (Ministry of Industry and Trade) shared.

According to reading the newspaper