Power Distribution Companies (Discos) are charging almost double tariff from the middle category consumers during peak hours, certified record of which is not made available. Discos, which are struggling for independence from the clutches of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) due to non-implementation of power sector reforms, are sending bills to the consumers as per the notified tariff determinations.
Official documents reveal that the domestic consumers, who use up to 100 units in one month, pay Rs 4.54 per unit, besides taxes including General Sales Tax. Normal tariff for consumers who consume 101-300 units per month is Rs 6.86 per unit. And this category of consumers is compelled to pay Rs 12.25 per unit during peak hours whereas during off-peak hours they pay Rs 6.70 per unit. Consumers who utilise 301-700 units monthly pay Rs 10.65 per unit whereas the normal tariff for the consumers who consume 701 and above is Rs 13.29 per unit.
Classification of timing of peak hours is as follows: December to February - 5pm to9pm; March to May - 6pm to 10pm; June to August - 7pm to 11pm and; September-November 6pm to 10pm. Normal tariff of domestic consumers who consume 500 units a month is Rs 3956 but their ToU tariff has been calculated at Rs 3905 whereas consumers who use 1000 units pay Rs 10073 in peak hours but in off-peak hours their total bill is Rs 7810.
Peak hours'' tariff for commercial consumers is the reverse of domestic consumers. For instance, commercial consumers'' normal tariff is Rs 13 per unit but during peak hours it is Rs 11.49 per unit, less by 74 paisa as compared to domestic consumers. During off peak hours commercial consumers'' tariff is Rs 6.50 per unit. Normal bill for commercial consumers who use 500 units monthly is Rs 6500 but their ToU tariff is Rs 5217. Likewise the bill of those consumers who consume 1000 units is Rs 13000 in normal times whereas their ToU tariff will be Rs 9700.