THE Public Utilities Commission has taken issue with the matter of late receipt/non receipt of  Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) utility bills by consumers, for the period July/August2010, and subsequent disconnection notices published by that company in the press.
In a press release issued yesterday, the Commission noted that this issue of late receipt/non receipt of bills by customers has been brought to its attention, and added that the Commission wishes to act in the best interest of all stakeholders to find an acceptable position for all concerned.
Alarmed by the number of complaints received, the Commission wrote to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. pointing out that while the Electricity Reform Act 1999, (ESRA) 15 (3)O states  “… The omission to dispatch bills shall not release a consumer from the responsibility for the charges for electricity, it also places an obligation on the part of the company to issue bills as it states at 15 (4), namely:  “that every bill shall be payable within 21 days of the issue of the bill…” and 15 (5) states that “a bill shall be deemed to be issued when it is posted.”
The Commission further reminded the GPL of the commitment it (the GPL) gave at a meeting it held between the two parties on Wednesday June 30, 2010, in the Commission’s board room.  The decision was to disconnect for arrears, not sooner than 29 days after the bill issue date, instead of the 21 days period being used.
The PUC, in its press release notes: “ The recent complaints received, and the public notice published by the GPL, seem to indicate that the GPL intends to act contrary to the commitment given at the meeting.”
The Commission also alluded to the difficulty consumers experience when bills arrive a few days before the ‘due date’ and are faced with disconnection which comes with an additional cost to have the service restored.  The practice of omitting the ‘billing date’, and only stating month and year in the billing date column was also noted.
To this end, the PUC has requested that the GPL inform them, among other things, of the policy with regard to the number of days after the ‘bill issue’ date that consumers are disconnected.
Consumers are encouraged to contact the Public Utilities Commission on this, or any other issue that may be affecting them.  The PUC reiterates that it remains committed to regulating utilities for efficient services, and protecting consumers’ interest.
The Commission can be contacted at its office at 298 Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown or on telephone number 226-7042 or website www.puc.org.gy