Consumers in Kumarghat were left frustrated on Monday after finding the local electricity office locked when they arrived to recharge their prepaid electricity meters, alleging that the closure had caused considerable hardship, particularly for those whose power supply had already been disconnected.
According to the affected consumers, several people travelled from distant areas, hiring vehicles and setting aside their daily work to visit the office. However, they were reportedly unable to recharge their meters as the office remained closed following Lakshmi Puja on Sunday.
The situation became particularly difficult for households without electricity. Consumers expressed concern over the plight of children, elderly people and those suffering from health problems, who were forced to endure the heat without power.
Angry residents questioned why the office was not operational on Monday and criticised the lack of accessible recharge facilities during the holiday period. They said the closure had left them struggling to restore their electricity supply despite making the effort to reach the office.
The prepaid metering system also came under criticism, with some consumers saying that the earlier postpaid system had been more convenient. They alleged that the transition to prepaid meters in the name of digitalisation had instead increased their difficulties, forcing them to deal with recurring recharge-related problems.
Some protesters warned that they might organise a road blockade if the authorities failed to address their grievances and take immediate steps to resolve the issue. They also demanded that the previous postpaid meters be restored.
The incident has brought renewed attention to concerns over the functioning of public offices and the availability of essential services during holidays. Consumers argued that people should not be left without access to necessary services because of office closures, particularly when electricity is an essential requirement for daily life.
The complaints have also prompted questions about claims of improved work culture in government offices. According to the affected residents, frequent holidays and delays in public services often force people to make repeated visits, resulting in lost time, additional expenses and prolonged inconvenience.
Consumers are now seeking a more reliable arrangement for prepaid meter recharges, along with a review of the existing system. The response of the concerned electricity authorities to the allegations was not available at the time of reporting.
