KARACHI: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) formed to provide justice to poor and helpless electric consumers against high-handedness of Discos has been alleged of shaking hands with corruption-marred distribution companies who were already involved in plundering national exchequer through notorious ‘Circular Debts’ scandal.

Latest case of NEPRA corruption has been unearthed by power activist Aneel Mumtaz with reference to hearing held in authority’s office on April 10 by Deputy Director Taqi Abdi. Case belonged to K-Electric’s mismanagement that had disconnected power supply of consumer for many months but supplementary bills were issued up to Rs 1,092,121. His complaint remained pending with NEPRA without any action for 54 days. In this background on April 6, 2023, KE staff attempted to snatch electric meter without any authority from complainant’s premises but was resisted and failed.

This illegal and unethical attempt from KE when reported to NEPRA, hearing was held on April 10 but Authority officials openly and unauthorisedly favoured Disco against its frequent violations brought to notice by complainant and hearing was proved result-less without providing any remedy to complainant. Instead, NEPRA tried to put undue pressure against complainant, harassed him and attempted to bail out culprits of accused Disco.

 Complainant brought many documented violations and irregularities from KE staff and officials to notice of NEPRA hearing but they unduly favored again and again culprits of Disco which was amazing for complainant.

Most surprising fact was that electric supply of complainant was disconnected for past many months but billing for those months was crossed by Rs 1,476,688 without any readings recorded by meter. Even K Electric sent fabricated bill for March 2023 by charging 1005 units in absence of supply of electricity while there was no reading shown and recorded by meter installed on premises. Previously they had charged 9603 units similarly without power supply and readings shown by electric meter installed. This fraudulent culture by K Electric is not limited to single consumer but majority of population has been complaining while NEPRA has been deaf and dumb in practice.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 01 2023

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