KARACHI: With reference to NEPRA handling of the electric consumer complaint Syed Tasmehullah Shah against K-Electric Limited as reported on 11 January 2024 by daily National Courier a large number of discrepancies are pointed out by Aneel Mumtaz, an expert on power sector in the metropolitan.

Aneel Mumtaz disclosed that even being an electric power regulatory authority covering power disputes all over the country NEPRA does not have an energy meter testing laboratory. It was observed in the above-said case on 30th March 2023 site inspection when NEPRA Deputy Director Taqi Abidi and Assistant Director Nasarullah were not having even an ordinary tester and AVO Meter while also lacking the PPE’s protection equipment and the service uniforms. This is an example of the “Efficiency & Disciplinary” nature of the Authority, he said. 

Hence, in the dispute of Syed Tasmehullah Shah vs. K-Electric Limited against inflated and illegal billing the NEPRA officials directed K-Electric Limited, the culprit and accused of excessive billings to arrange meter checking on January 08, 2024 at its premises located in Elander Complex near Shaheen Complex wherein complainant was ordered to bring meter and the same will be checked in presence of the complainant, NEPRA team and Provincial Office of Inspection (POI’s) representative. In this regard most hilarious fact was that the Provincial Office of Inspection (POI’s) was not informed about its role.

This complaint was filed on 29th March 2023 against bogus billing by K-Electric, illegal disconnection of power through dishonest abstraction, and urged for instant inspection. The complainant sent a reminder in this regard on 17-04-2023 and asked the Authority to provide information and record of the proceeding. But NEPRA is failed to resolve this dispute till today.

It may be mentioned here that the four members of NEPRA were drawing more than Rs.39.5 million salaries per annum and the Chairman was drawing more than Rs.9.972 million on account of salary and other perks from the government. The other employees of the authority were earning more than Rs.930 million in terms of salaries with more than Rs.140 million as loans, while more than Rs.1150 million was budgeted for other administrative expenses in accordance with annual report of year 2020 of the authority.

But on the other hand the working nature of this ‘white elephant’ could be assessed from a fact that to check the usage of electricity from the complainant consumers it asks to provide the gas bills/consumption statement of their premises. K-Electric has already disconnected the power supply of Aneel Mumtaz’s residence just to victimize him since 14th May 2023 and the NEPRA Advisor has been asking him to produce his gas consumption bills, instead of restoring the connection.  

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 22 2024

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