DPDC Clarifies Prepaid Meter Billing, Fees and Friendly Hours

The Dhaka Power Distribution Company (ডিপিডিসি) has released an official press statement detailing the operational mechanics of prepaid electricity meters, including billing structures, demand charges, and service fees. According to the release issued on September 1, the utility provider has outlined how various monthly and transactional costs are applied to consumer accounts under the regulatory framework of the বাংলাদেশ এনার্জি রেগুলেটরি কমিশন.

A key focus of the press release is the application of demand charges. The utility stated that demand charges are deducted once every month against the approved load of the consumer. Specifically, the calculation applies a rate of 42 taka per kilowatt, resulting in a total demand charge of 252 taka for a three-month billing cycle, providing clarity on how these recurring utility costs accumulate for households and businesses in Dhaka.

The statement also addressed meter rental fees, distinguishing between different installation scenarios. Consumers who purchase and install prepaid meters using their own funds are completely exempt from paying any monthly meter rent. However, for meters provided by the utility, the monthly rental fee is set at 40 taka for single-phase meters, while the rental fee for three-phase meters is significantly higher at 250 taka per month.

Regarding financial transactions during meter recharges, the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (ডিপিডিসি) clarified that a 5 percent value-added tax is automatically deducted from the total amount of money recharged by the consumer. This deducted VAT is subsequently deposited directly into the government treasury in compliance with established national financial regulations and tax collection procedures.

Additionally, the utility introduced specific operational scheduling known as friendly hours to assist consumers with uninterrupted power access. The designated friendly hours comprise weekly holidays as well as the daily time window running from 4:00 PM in the afternoon until 10:00 AM the following morning. Consumers seeking further assistance can reach out to the organization through the official hotline at ১৬১১৬.