KARACHI: To meet so-called billing of ‘Circular Debts’ K-Electric and its patron NEPRA are involved in bogus billings to consumers that sometimes result in even death of innocent people but nobody cares which is height of deception and high-handedness.    

Muhammad Asim Khan, owner of Pak Amazai Marble Works Sector 6, Qasba, Metroville Karachi died on February 23, 2023 under such tension that was gifted by K-Electric Company Limited management through bogus case fabricated against him in August 2018 against false theft charges, sealing and snatching his premises meter, received an undue amount of Rs 150,000 towards penalty but neither meter was installed nor his connection was restored since last five years that caused him severe mental torture and death.

Complainant Muhammad Asim Khan had stated to NEPRA that he pays his electricity bills regularly and upon theft of his meter, he duly informed KE; however, instead of addressing issue, his electricity supply was disconnected by KE and detection bill amounting to Rs 2,899,372 was imposed upon him. He added that his factory remained completely closed/non-operational since August 13, 2018 and requested for resolution of his issue.

According to Aneel Mumtaz well-known energy analyst, NEPRA in its final order July 24, 2019 directed KE to revise detection bill from six months to two months on basis of sanctioned load for months of July and August 2018. Bill for month of August 2018 was required to be charged as per billing cycle i.e. for 20 days (July 24 to August 14) and not for whole month. Regularise load of complainant after completion of all codal formalities. Withdraw bills issued to complainant after disconnection of electricity on August 14, 2018 (i.e., date of theft of meter) and review consumer tariff category of complainant as requested by him. But K-Electric management remained unmoved for last four years and destroyed business of innocent consumer without any fault on his side.

According to NEPRA order billing data showed that consumption at premises was on lower side during months of July and August 2018 as compared with previous consumption trend. KE team carried out an inspection on August 13, 2018 and found some alleged and bogus discrepancies in metering equipment. Astonishingly next day meter was misplaced and supply remained disconnected and meter was missing. Billing statement of KE amazingly showed that complainant was charged bills for months of September to November 2018 while connection was disconnected. During hearing, KE officials failed to submit any satisfactory response as to why electricity bills were issued against disconnected meter/premises. KE officials were directed to provide MDI record of connection, but no such record was provided. KE had charged bill to complainant on basis of a 74 kW load, whereas 16 mm2 cable cannot cater to load of 74 kW. This fact was also admitted by representatives of KE during hearing and they informed that 16mm2 square cable could cater to maximum 30 kW load. In instant matter, main evidence was missing i.e. impugned meter.

CSM provides that detection bill is to be charged on basis of sanctioned load or connected load whichever is higher in absence of meter or check meter that was never installed, severe negligence on part of KE and NEPRA both. Connected load as claimed by KE at complainant premises was 74 kW but due to undersised cable, this load could not be used more than 30 kW, it was confessed by NEPRA. But even then KE was not penalised against its bogus claims, Aneel Mumtaz said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 18 2023

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