A businessman from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, Lalit Dhiman, was stunned after receiving an electricity bill of a staggering Rs 2,10,42,08,405 for December 2024. A resident of Beherwin Jattan village, Mr. Dhiman had paid a modest Rs 2,500 for his previous month's bill, making the sudden hike a shocking surprise.

Distressed, Mr. Dhiman visited the local electricity board office to report the issue. The officials at the office explained that it was a technical error that led to the astronomical bill. After reviewing the case, they corrected the mistake, bringing the bill down to a manageable Rs 4,047.

This is not the first incident where an inflated electricity bill has alarmed people. Just last year, a tailor in Gujarat's Valsad district found himself in such a situation. Muslim Ansari, a shop owner whose shop was his and his uncle's, got a bill that amounted to Rs 86 lakh, which exceeded his shop property.

The officials on investigation found out that an error in the reading of the meter had led to a large amount. Two extra digits—10—had been put in, which gave the inflated figure. After knowing this, they corrected the matter.

These incidents raise questions about the reliability of billing systems and the impact of such errors on individuals. While both cases were resolved, they pointed out the importance of vigilance in utility billing to avoid unnecessary stress for customers.