IT is not for the first time that the issue of over-billing has been brought to the limelight but the latest report of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on the subject should serve as an eye-opener for decision-makers, who have miserably failed to safeguard the interest of consumers. The country’s power distribution companies have been accused of fleecing customers and overcharging them as much as 100pc. In the 14-page report, NEPRA says there is not a single Disco in the country charging bills in 100% correct manner.
Wrong, inflated and average billing had been longstanding grievance of consumers in almost all parts of the country and in fact some measures including photo reading were introduced to bring transparency to the process but the problem still persists on different pretexts like shortage of staff. The issue assumed alarming dimensions as consumers received heavy bills for July and August sparking country-wide protests. The inquiry conducted by NEPRA revealed discrepancies in meter reading, including invisible or deliberately omitted snaps, and instances of monthly readings exceeding the 30-day billing cycle, leading to unjustified billing and reclassification of consumer categories. Consumers also experienced significant issues, causing billing slab shifts, status changes and invalid snapshots. Extended billing cycles led to overbilling and faulty meter replacements. A deliberate trend emerged, affecting over four lakh consumers from June to August 2023. The inquiry pertains to a particular period but the issue of bogus, inflated and average billing is chronic and consumers are regularly fleeced by Discos. There are scores of sub-divisions even in the vicinity of the Federal Capital where consumers receive average bills every alternate month as per policy of IESCO and these average bills are invariably on the higher side, inflicting significant monetary losses to consumers. This extortion must come to an end and officials concerned held accountable.
