LAHORE: The power distribution companies (Discos) in Punjab claim to have started withdrawing a number of electricity bills issued to consumers without Rs14 per unit relief due to massive time spent on calculations and release of required funds.

On the other hand, many consumers were shocked after they received bills for the month of August (billing cycle 21 to 20 or so) without the relief announced by the provincial government.

“I didn’t find any relief in my bill I received yesterday (Monday) despite the fact I was eligible to get Rs14 per unit cut. Should I pay it,” a confused consumer, resident of Walton (Lahore) said while talking to Dawn.

“Like me, there are many who received bills without relief.”

According to official sources, the delay in release of funds to Discos — Lesco, Fesco, Gepco, Iesco and Mepco - occurred due to exercise related to calculation of the consumers, who used 201 to 500 units, amount required in case of Rs14 per unit relief, provision of data to Punjab government, mode of payment, delay in transfer of funds and some other issues.

Cumbersome spadework renders power consumers nonplussed; Azma criticised for her ignorance about situation

“Before release of funds by the Punjab government, the Lesco issued bills to consumers falling in four of the total 16 batches of domestic consumers. But as soon as it came to know about release of funds, the high-ups concerned ordered the company, like others, to issue all bills with Rs14 per unit relief. Therefore, the management of all five Punjab-based companies including Lesco withdrew all bills they issued earlier in a bid to reissue them after revision related to Rs14 per unit relief,” a senior Lesco official told this reporteron Monday.

To a question, the official requesting anonymity said around 10 per cent of the consumers falling in four of the total 16 batches reportedly paid bill. However, the company would compensate them by crediting the August’s relief in the September bills. To another question, he said the number of consumers, falling in 201 to 500 unit category, is 3.5 million in Lesco alone.

According to him, the August bills issued to consumers a couple of days ago are being revised after being withdrawn by Lesco and other companies in Punjab. Besides this, the consumers have also been given a 10-day grace period so that they could have enough time for payment.

To another question, the official said the government had released over Rs13 billion to Lesco alone.

Since Lesco CEO Shahid Haidar was not available for comments despite calls made by this reporter, a spokesman for the company confirmed the development and said the consumers, who received bills without relief, need not worry as their bills have been withdrawn and are currently being revised with Rs14 per unit relief.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had to face a scathing criticism on the social media when she waxed lyrical about the power relief, knowing nothing about the bills a number of people received without Rs14 per unit cut.

Scores of people uploaded their bills, exposing her people-friendly mantra.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2024