THE revised consumer service manual unveiled by the power regulator NEPRA introduces additional charges and stringent measures for electricity consumers, including a 14 per cent interest rate on bill instalments and an ‘urgent fee’ for priority connections. The proposed regulations — set to be discussed at a public hearing on Dec 19 before implementation — seeks restrictions and penalties on multiple connections at one premises and higher penalties on detection bills that are issued by power distribution companies (Discos) for suspicious consumption like a slow meter, a defective meter, theft, etc.
In theory, regulatory bodies are supposed to safeguard interests of all stakeholders including consumers but in practice these have become tools in the hands of the government and the utilities companies to fleece masses as decisions are hardly made on merit. The country is producing surplus electricity, therefore, there is absolutely no justification for keeping the applications pending for power connections even for a single day. Therefore, the proposal to introduce a Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 fee (in addition to normal charges) for a new category of urgent connection is nothing but pure extortion of people. Similarly, some circles and sub-divisions are notorious for issuing inflated bills repeatedly and consumers are forced to seek instalments for payment. It would be unjust to impose a 14% mark up on instalments as it would add to the woes of the consumers. It is also illogical to seek removal of multiple connections and separate electricity meters on residential premises that do not have direct and separate entrances from the main roads. This is because in the majority of cases more than one connection has been obtained by those who have rented portions of their houses or ancestral houses that are shared by extended families. The proposed amendments also envisage permission for the Discos to confiscate electric appliances and equipment besides imposing heavy penalties like “detection bills” equivalent to five years of power consumption against consumers and premises found in electricity theft to make up for the energy losses. This measure is long due in view of large-scale electricity thefts in some areas and its enforcement in letter and spirit would hopefully have a deterring effect on the instance of theft.
