Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has started overcharging consumers of various areas of the city through additional arrears despite timely payment of electricity bills while the officials at KESC are also not interested in resolving the issues.
It is learnt by Business Recorder here on Wednesday that consumers of various areas of the city especially Buffer Zone received electricity bills of the month of December with the addition of overdue amount of November bill despite the consumers had paid November bill in time.
The consumers are in deep stress due to this overcharging. The fear of possible power disconnection also present among the consumers as KESC has stepped up its Revenue Recovery Drive against defaulters by disconnection of power supply. A Resident of "Ali Pride" located in Buffer Zone, received electricity bill of net amount payable within due date Rs 3200 for the billing month December which includes Rs 1933.22 as arrears and Rs 1221.11 the net amount of current bill. However, the said consumer had already paid Rs 1800 of the billing month November with in due date.
Later, he contacted IBO North Nazimabad, KESC regarding the issue, the official at the office said that "due to the computer error the bill issued contain arrears despite timely payment" and issued him the new bill for the billing month December after correction.
As per the new bill issued, Rs 1400 is the net amount payable with in due date. However the consumer's net amount of current bill is Rs 1221.11. The said consumer asked concern official that the new bill issued also contains extra charges in terms of arrears again as the net amount of current bill is Rs 1221.11. The official replied as saying "it would be adjusted next time, why should we take tension for the amount under Rs 200."
The consumer told Business Recorder that the KESC officials are not interested in resolving the problems of consumers. While KESC is plundering people and earning millions by overcharging consumers, he added. He said the KESC has made the life of people miserable not only through load shedding but also through overcharging.