Managing Director Pepco admits Discos over-billing consumers

Managing Director, Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), Rasul Khan Mahsud, has acknowledged that 'inefficient' Distribution Companies (Discos) are engaged in blatant over billing to consumers which is tarnishing the image of the companies, well-informed sources told Business Recorder from Lahore.
"There are a lot of complaints against the Discos for overcharging consumers of all categories under the guise of over billing. There is a negative perception that companies dress up their performance by resorting to blatant over billing to customers, which per se, results on account of either policy decisions by the management, or by the field staff for their personal petty gains with ulterior motives," the sources quoted, Mahsud as saying in a letter sent to all the Chief Executive of Discos.
According to him, this, unfortunately, results in losing the trust of customers as well as tarnishing the image of the companies. "Over billing remains a common complaint against companies, where media and other watch-dogs focus the most," he added. Discos, he added, are passing through a critical phase of consolidating their financial position through increasing tariffs.
The customers, resultantly, has to pay higher bills on account of increase in tariff and excess reading further exacerbates their financial woes. "Obviously, they (consumers) have become more sensitive to even small variations in their billing. It is a common sight that the customers invariably compare their bills with the actual readings on the meter and in case of any deviation raise hue and cry. This abhorrent activity, if allowed to continue unabated, will attract unnecessary embarrassment for the management of the companies," the sources quoted, MD as stating in his letter.
Pepco argues that it is high time that serious and concerted efforts be launched to check the practice of overbilling by dealing with the delinquents with an iron hand as part of a zero tolerance policy. It is imperative that management and staff must be vigilant and take utmost care while both reading the actual consumption as well as preparing the bills.
"Instructions be issued to all concerned that overbilling to customers is not acceptable and strict disciplinary action, without any exception, shall be taken against the officers and staff found involved in the over billing," Mahsud concluded. A high level team headed by the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Nadeem-ul-Haq is engaged in implementing power sector reforms under the guidance of USAID, ADB and World Bank. No significant progress in the reforms process has been visible despite the Ministry of Water and Power's decision to hire a number of consultants which, so allege Ministry sources, are close friends of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.