LAHORE: There is no place for wrong doers in LESCO while system shortcoming will be resolved soon. These views were expressed by LESCO Chief Shahid Haider while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad presided-over the meeting, accompanied by Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry and Executive Committee members.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry raised various issues including unjustified cases against business community, over billing, power theft and line losses etc.
LESCO Chief Shahid Haider said that all LESCO staff has been advised to give due honor to the consumers. He also gave instruction to the LESCO officials to save contact number of LCCI office-bearers in their mobiles and respond quickly to their complaints.
He said that longstanding issue of overbilling has been resolved while strict actions are being taken against misdoing by the LESCO staff.
He informed the LCCI office-bearers that the issue of MDI charges is related to NEPRA. He said that the issues of electricity transmission are being resolved on priority.
He invited the LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad to let him know about the illegal FIRs against the businessmen. Prompt action would be taken. He said that line losses were 15.4 percent last year which would be reduced further.
LESCO Chief said that a system has been placed for the issuance of B3 and B4 connections to save the precious time of business community.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad drew attention to the Maximum Demand Indicator (MDI) fixed charges imposed by NEPRA on industrial and commercial consumers. He said that industries are required to pay 50% of their sanctioned load charges even without using electricity. This has significantly increased operational costs, and LESCO must play its role in addressing this burden.
The President expressed concerns over dangling power lines in various markets which have caused multiple accidents. Despite repeated complaints, no significant action has been taken. He urged LESCO to prioritize upgrading the power distribution system across Lahore’s markets.
Mian Abuzar Shad said that traders often receive bills only a day before the due date, leading to delayed payments and disconnections. LCCI requested LESCO to improve the bill distribution system to ensure timely receipt of bills and avoid unnecessary disruptions. LCCI Chief said that in cases of damaged meters, LESCO sends bills based on average consumption for the entire year.
Billing should reflect consumption from the corresponding month of the previous year to account for seasonal variations, suggested the President.
He added that NEPRA’s Report 2022-23 indicated LESCO’s line losses at 11.29%, amounting to an estimated loss of Rs.21.79 billion. LCCI sought clarification on steps LESCO is taking to reduce these losses. Additionally, it called for public awareness campaigns on energy conservation and the use of energy-efficient appliances. He offered to host awareness sessions in its halls and collaborate with LESCO to educate consumers on energy-saving practices.
LCCI office-bearers hoped that that the raised issues would be resolved promptly. He thanked Shahid Haider for his visit and assured continued cooperation between LCCI and LESCO to facilitate the business community.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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