Illiterate couple pay for power without getting connection

It is unheard of to pay electricity bills without getting a connection, but an illiterate couple here paid the amount for three months from April this year to the electricity board without getting a power connection.
The couple had applied for a power connection for their house and had arranged to pay Rs 6,000 to get it. Electricity board staff installed the meter and told them they would get power once an electric post near their house was installed.
Meanwhile, they received a bill for Rs 86, the 'minimum consumption charge' for April and May 2015. They paid it assuming it was the cost of the meter. They received another bill for Rs 110 for June, which too they paid.

They still did not receive the connection, following which neighbours helped them draft a memorandum to Electricity board officials on the matter.
The officials admitted the bills had been sent and that it was a 'mistake' on their part and assured the couple it would be rectified.