KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan has expressed concerns over K-Electric's lobbying in the press against the proposed APM by NEPRA in the License No.09/DL/2003 dated July 21, 2003 and putting forth flimsy and untenable arguments against modification of KE's license to bring an end to its absolute monopoly over the sale and distribution of electric power to the territory of Karachi.
In an addendum to comments sent earlier on the Authority's proposed modification in existing distribution license of K-Electric Limited sent to Registrar of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), President KCCI said that the contention of KE that the termination of its exclusivity or in other words the "monopoly" is not in public interest is ridiculous. KE has given some flawed reasoning in support of its argument. In KE's flawed theory, the star/low loss consumers who are KE's primary source of revenue and enable KE to meet its "social obligation costs" would be taken up by new entrants to the distribution market. The statement itself is a testimony to KE's unfair treatment and exploitation of honest consumers.
He said that these consumers are forced to bear the costs and burden of theft, leakages and line losses, while rewarding those involved in theft of electricity in connivance with the KE's field staff who provide illegal connections through use of "Kunda". Ironically, KE calls such shifting of burden to honest consumers "Social Obligation Costs". This is a lame excuse to conceal the deficiencies of KE in identifying and curtailing theft and leakages. Such arguments do not hold any legal ground and are in fact a blatant infringement upon the rights of those consumers who honestly pay their dues to KE.-PR
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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