Thread: BSNL billing problems. can i approach a court

Hai,
Please patiently read my problem, and try to give a solution.
I am currently in begusarai district of bihar. i took a new landline connection on the 5 of february 2009 (i had deposited rs 500 while applying). i then applied for 750ul broadband plan and got the connection on 14th february.
on march 16th my first bill came, with an amount of Rs 4138. I approached the BSNL office to ask them to explain how this amount had come about. But none of the officers helped as they themselves had no idea. I was instead asked by the JTO in the office to just pay the amount and then not to pay the last two months bill when i want to disconnect. he explained to me that this way i would not lose.

I then submitted a written application to the BSNL office asking them to provide me with a printout of the details of the bill. they have not yet responded.

on the 10th april, they disconnected my landline. and on the 13th april i sent an email to the regional nodal officer explaining my crisis. i still have not yet received any reply.

its april 22nd and i have not yet recieved the bill for the month for march, and not recieved the correct bill for the month of february.

despite all my communications, the officers at BSNL completely ignore me.

I feel guilty using the broadband service without paying. but i cannot pay unless i am notified of the correct amount in a proper detailed bill.

can i approach a court to highlight the complete ignorance of the bsnl officers and for the complete frustration they have caused me.

thank you.
raji raouf

While plan change, they make a lot of mistakes. Mostly it will be 750 advance for new connection (as you paid 500, it should be Rs. 250). They might have charged the modem charge again + Last month broadband rent Rs. 750 + Your phone bill. This is the most likely scenario.

To get a clear picture, please give the details as mentioned in the bill.

You can contact consumer forum if you wish. What they did to you is totally wrong. But expecting a reply to email will be too much to ask considering the culture of BSNL. The best option is to talk to the Chief Accounts Officer (Phone no. and address on the backside of your bill). You can also sent a registered with receipt for which he is bound to reply. On the backside of your bill, you will also find the no. and address of appellate authority. Please be careful that you keep records for these transactions. Otherwise they may deny it. If it fails, you can seek help from consumer forum.

Also your plan might not have changed as you expected and they have charged for extra usage. Hope this link will shed some light to your problem.

http://www.indiabroadband.net/bsnl-b...an-change.html (Precautions during plan change)

Post your bill details

Edit your post and delete email address and phone number. to avoid spam.


1. send an ONLINE complaint .
give your STD code.
Mention name of A.O your circle
( as mentioned in bill )

http://www.bihar.bsnl.co.in/


3 Begusarai Mukesh Kumar JTO(NS) 06243-241000/240900 9431200825 06243-248000 mukesh_reck@bsnl.co.in, mukesh_reck@yahoo.co.in



http://mis.bsnl.co.in/pgs/internet/pgwebregn.asp



Para two:
Did you purchase the modem / outright ?

Did you have an earlier phone connection ? tariff plan ?
One India ?

ANY BSNL BILL will contain some break up.
telephone Rent ( period . 2months ........) ( Rs 360)
call charges /std/ Istd ______________ say R 340/=_
other charges _______________
BB rent for 2 months Rs 1500/=
Advance security deposit 750/=
Modem cost _________ Rs 1000?= or rs 100/= ( 2 months rent )
(Modem security deposit ________Rs 500/=
Installation charges Rs 250/=
etc )

All amounts given for example only. May not apply to you.
( this may include all BB related dues )
Service Tax
at about 10.3%_________________ ( say Rs 350/=)
total : ______________________

thanks, here's my bill..

fixed monthly charge -56
metered calls -00
trunk calls -00
overseas calls -00
debit -2700
s/taxes -132
gross amt -2888
deposit amount -1250
amount payable -4138

i had purchased the modem and the charge for the modem is rs 1600. i am eligible for 20% discount offered to PSU. and my broadband was activated on february 14th. so this is the amount i was expecting

call charge -100 (maximum)
broadband rent -300
modem cost -1600
taxes -200

i was not informed of any kind of deposit, or security amount that i would have to pay in my first bill. neither was i informed of any kind of advance rent that i would have to pay. (i had specifically asked the officers at the time of connection if there would be such security deposits and i was assured there would be none. that's one of the reasons i went for the bsnl connection)

so now you can see, why i am all confused with the amount. i am actually willing to pay the amount, but the officers at the bsnl office admitted that there was some mistake in the bill, but they just could not figure what it was out.

dont i have a right to know how that total amount became 4138 from the concerned officers. and as for the security amounts, doesn't bsnl have the obligation to inform its customers if they would be required to pay security deposits, or advance rentals and so on.

i am in a real confusion, and feel really bad for using all these broadband without paying. is there some senior officer at bsnl to whom i could send the entire problem in writing by registered mail..

BSNL likes giving surprises. Please complete the following details. It will be in your bill, middle of the first page.

Local Calls:-
-------------

--------------------------------------
CMR GROSS FREE DR CR UPTO

.....................

.....................


---------
FIXD FRM:............

...............

...........

----------

BROADBAND DEPOSIT
DUE=...... PAID=........
and so on

For Non OYT land phone connection the initial deposit rates are:

as per BSNL

Applications are registered under NON-OYT , on payment of initial deposit of Rs 500/- or Rs 2,000/- depending upon the type (rural or urban) & capacity of the exchange system.

your exch is coming under Rural or Urban ?

this bill is quite unusual. it is not like the other bill formats in other states. all those details you asked are not mentioned in my bill.

you can see my bill here

Originally Posted by sujithsukrutham

For Non OYT land phone connection the initial deposit rates are:

as per BSNL


your exch is coming under Rural or Urban ?

it comes under urban.

@raji
You will not explain whether you purchased the modem outright, or on rental basis.
you wont confirm whether this is an old telphone connection or new.
If this is a new connection Rs 2700 may pertain to Telephone Installation charges security deposit etc
Para two:
If not
http://www.bsnl.in/service/dataone_tariff.htm#home

You said you deposited Rs 500 when you applied for the BB connection. ( hope you have a receipt or cheque details )

Debit is shown as 2700/=
probably this is cost of modem rs 1200/= ( Now only Rs 1000/=)
Home 750 plan one months rent Rs 750/= and one months charges Rs 750/= as security advance. ( 4 days credit can be given if applied for ) OK.

Now there is an entry Deposit Rs 1250/= this is double entry
( and not needed Rs 750 Av BB one month's charges and
Modem security deposit Rs 500 if taken on rent )

Explain this and ask them to deduct this amount Rs 1250/= and Rs 500 advance paid from the total bill ( and modem excess cost Rs 200/=)Rs 1900/=
They can waive penal charges and reconnection charges as it is not your mistake.
Meet the A.O and explain and pay the bill Feb and March 2009.
Get a signed payment advice.
if still interested in BSNL Telephone and Broadband.

You will get legal notice for non payment after about a year.

@essbebe, sorry

i have purchased the modem outright. and this is a new connection. i have already paid rs 500 at the time of applying for new landline connection. the modem costs rs 1600. as i already mentioned, i am eligible for 20% discount too.

i met the A.O, and he has no idea about the bill. he too if of the opinion that i should not make too much fuss and just pay and then leave.

just to make the story a bit more clearer, on march 19th the JTO of the office called my landline number and told me that they have already dedcuted rs 300 for my sake and to make the payment of rs 4138 minus rs 300. but he told me that he would not give a new bill showing the correction as it was too cumbersome. he told me that the officers in bsnl begusarai have no idea about the billling process, and that all these excess amounts would be given back at the time of disconnection. he asks me to just trust him and not to enquire anymore from anyone else.

what do i do?

Originally Posted by raji

@essbebe, sorry

as i already mentioned, i am eligible for 20% discount too.

for getting concession of 20% (for govt and PSU employees) u have to submit a written application with the proof that u are working in a Govt firm.

i did complete that form and have already submitted it long back. frankly, at this stage, i wouldnt worry even if i didnt get that discount. i just want my proper bill.

It is better that first u pay the bill ( as this is not a much bigger amount) and approach concerned authorities in writing. If they can not provide a satisfactory answer then u can think about approaching consumer court. If they charged excess then it will get adjusted in next bill.

New Telephone connection Home UL750+
( No monthly fixed telephone rental charges )

Telephone installation/security deposit charged not known.

Better pay and
make a detailed application addressed
to the Accounts officer and hand over to CC in the exchange.
Show calculations :
Left side BSNL ......... right side YOURS diff + or -


Make extra copy ( 2) and GET a "chapa"
rubber stamp receipt with Date. ( keep one spare for Nodal )

JTO has nothing to do with your bill. .
You have to create written records/ e mails etc
to settle the bill. at a later date.
I feel it may be settled by May.
Rs 300/= discount is for 20% concession Govt employee. ( ON Rs 750 BBcharge +Rs750 advance )

just one more thing, so what amount do i pay now. the JTO had deducted rs300 for some reason and he says the system will now show the new amount which has rs 300 less. but once i go with my bill, they have no such records.

and from what i have seen at the office, no one cares. absolutely no one cares about your concern. as i said, i was actually instructed by the JTO not to pay the last two months bill in order to be even with BSNL. what do i do with all this.

"There is nothing called a free LUNCH !"
You are not getting a PHONE free of charge.
see the annexure.

Earlier mentioned by
@sujithsukritham @ in post no 7.
Rep + given by me.
( click the "SCALE" icon against his post )
the difference is reduced now.
Rs 1250 is in order . OK.
( actually missed another Rs 750/=!)

2. SECURITY DEPOSITS
You have been charged for Local/STD/ISTD calls Rs 2000/=
Ask to be charged for local and STD calls only. Rs 500/=
Installation charges Rs 500/= for telephone.
May be Rs 250/= for BB installation.

Now i hope you got a clearer picture.

thanks a ton.

i just wish the guys at bsnl who are actually paid were half devoted as you. thanks a ton

Make sure you keep a record of these payments for future reference.

Originally Posted by raji

thanks, here's my bill..

fixed monthly charge -56
metered calls -00
trunk calls -00
overseas calls -00
debit -2700
s/taxes -132
gross amt -2888
deposit amount -1250
amount payable -4138

i had purchased the modem and the charge for the modem is rs 1600. i am eligible for 20% discount offered to PSU. and my broadband was activated on february 14th. so this is the amount i was expecting

call charge -100 (maximum)
broadband rent -300
modem cost -1600
taxes -200

Heres how I see the bill

Fixed Monthly Charges 56
U said that u have taken the connection of 5th and BB was installed on 14th. So Rent under normal Voice Plan (180) for 9 days = 180/30x9= 54 (no idea why they charged 56)

deposit amount 1250
A new landline connection now has a deposit of 1000. u had paid 500 at the time of application. So balance 500 is billed.
As per BB policy one month rental is deposit. U have chosen 750 plan. So 750 is billed.
Total Deposit 500+750 i.e. 1250

debit 2700
Modem Cost 1600 + VAT/LST. Don't know the applicable rate at Bihar. But could be anything between 4% to 12.5%
My presumption is that it is 6% by which modem cost becomes 1700 incl. Tax.
Broadband Rent = 750 (for Unlimited plans prorata charging is not done)
Installation Charges = 250

Total 1700+750+250 = 2700

s/taxes 132
12% + 3% surcharge on FMC (56) BB Rent (750) and Installation Charges (250)

So the only error was that 20% discount on BB charges was not given.
On Rent 20% of 750 = 150
On Deposit 20% of 750 = 150
i.e. Total 300

The JTO has therefore given credit of Rs.300

Hi all,

My case is most pathetic. I installed broadband homeplan 250. I got the bill of 2500, which was understanable. I paid the due. It has been a month and half. I tried many times checking account usage on bsnl website. It didnt work.

Ok fine, I didnt use internet much except for satureday and sunday. I watched videos on tube. I called the contractor/who will give me the portal ID, but no use. now I got the bill of 14000/-. there is no specific usage details on the bill, (I checked my account usage by calling on BSNL helpline 1500). even my office which has business plan with 1000 with some GB free, does not receive such a huge bill. Could there be any mistake? I dont have the portal ID, no password. please tell how to rectify this? or I dont have to pay at all, following connection disconnect, court notice or something. or be persistent to make a case in court. confused here. will hear your valuable inputs. thanks for all

You MUST get a
14digit portal Id (*example kum12345042009)
and password default password.
Go to your nearest exchange and meet the JTo or other
Technical officers.
Check usage at BSNL - Broadband Account Management

see this link also for further useful information.
http://www.indiabroadband.net/bsnl-b...html#post82142 (Confusion)

Originally Posted by kumarbyangpa

Hi all,

My case is most pathetic. I installed broadband homeplan 250. I got the bill of 2500, which was understanable. I paid the due. It has been a month and half. I tried many times checking account usage on bsnl website. It didnt work.

Ok fine, I didnt use internet much except for satureday and sunday. I watched videos on tube. I called the contractor/who will give me the portal ID, but no use. now I got the bill of 14000/-. there is no specific usage details on the bill, (I checked my account usage by calling on BSNL helpline 1500). even my office which has business plan with 1000 with some GB free, does not receive such a huge bill. Could there be any mistake? I dont have the portal ID, no password. please tell how to rectify this? or I dont have to pay at all, following connection disconnect, court notice or something. or be persistent to make a case in court. confused here. will hear your valuable inputs. thanks for all

It was a mistake to believe BSNL. First, talk to your local exchange, ask for your Portal ID, password (which is usually password) and email ID (which will be username@bsnl.in).They will have all these in records and can retrieve it in minutes.

Once you get your portal id and password, try one of this methods to check usage.

There are 4 sources to check your usage. 2 BSNL portals, 1 BSNL software, 1 Independent software.

1. BSNL - Broadband Account Management , values in KB.

2. BSNL Portal, values in MB, user friendly.

3. Both these sites can be down at times. BSNL sites do not update on real time basis. Today's usage is shown after 2 days. So most of us use a Bandwidth meter. Click here to download.

4. A software from BSNL can help us check the usage without using the portal. BSNL also provides SMS and email alerts when you cross your usage limit.

Use this link to register

Web Registration for Usage Alerts

Under this page, download the web client and use it to check your usage statistics without logging into the portal.

[

At this point you can depend on option 3.

To make a complaint, a written complaint with receipt to Nodal officer and Appellate authority will be most useful. You can find the address and phone no. on the backside of your bill. Talk to them in person and seek help. Once you lodge a complaint, they are bound to give a written reply, which can be useful proof during further transactions.

Hi, Are they obliged to send e-mail and sms alerts?? it is their duty to do so??

Originally Posted by kumarbyangpa

Hi, Are they obliged to send e-mail and sms alerts?? it is their duty to do so??

I am those alerts on my cell phone. So do others who tried. But your BSNL email ID will receive a email alert even without registering. A pity you didn't knew this earlier.