ISLAMABAD: Despite directions from Prime Minister Imran Khan to provide relief to the citizens facing financial issues due to the coronavirus lockdown, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has sent cumulative bills to consumers depriving them of the slab benefit.

Moreover, to add insult to injury the already paid amounts have been included in the bills due to which the consumers are running from pillar to post to get their bills corrected.

According to some of the bills available with Dawn, in February and March nominal bills were sent and it was mentioned that meters were locked which meant reading could not be taken.

In a bill sent to Mohammad Yasin, a resident of Islamabad, for April, it was claimed that the meter was locked in February and March. Moreover, it was stated that the consumer had consumed 1,041 units in one month even though history of the bill showed that the consumer had never used even 700 units during the last one year.

Moreover, an amount of Rs1,251 shown as deferred was also included in the bill, asking the consumer to pay Rs14,003. But old bills of the costumers showed that he had never received such a huge bill even in June, July and August 2019.

A resident of Rawalpindi, Mohammad Khurram, said he was astonished to see that meters were locked in February and March.

“Employees of Iesco just had to get a picture of the meter without touching it. I cannot understand why they did not bother to do so. I assume that small number of units were mentioned in the bills of February and March and then in April bill having readings of almost three months were sent due to which we have been deprived of the slab benefit,” he said.

According to another domestic bill, overall 309 units were consumed due to which the first 300 units were charged at the rate of Rs5.79 per unit and nine units charged at the rate of Rs8.11 per unit making a total bill of Rs1,650.

However, in the bill in which 1,041 units were mentioned, the first 900 units have been charged at the rate of Rs10.20 per unit and 141 units at the rate of Rs17.60 per unit. Another consumer, Mohammad Asim, said the government should look into the issue.

“We also demand that the management of Iesco should take strict action against those who have tried to rob the consumers by depriving them of the slab benefit.”

Iesco Chief Executive Officer Shahid Iqbal could not be contacted despite a number of attempts.

However, media coordinator of the company Raja Asim told Dawn that in March meter reading could not be carried out across the region but in February it was missed only in those areas which were affected by floods.

“We have divided the units into three equal portions and no one has been deprived of slab benefit. If any consumer has grievance, he/she should visit the customer care centre of Iesco for correction,” he said.

Meanwhile, after receiving complaints Energy Minister Omer Ayub on Monday sought an explanation from Iesco.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2020