ISLAMABAD-Strongly rejecting the counter narrative of the Ministry of Vitality on overbilling report, Nepra has mentioned that the regulator’s findings are based mostly on the info supplied by the ability distribution firms (Discos) and all of them have acknowledged that overbilling was achieved.
In a public listening to on modification in Shopper Service Handbook, the stakeholders have rejected the proposed amendments within the CSM together with, pressing price of Rs15000 to Rs30000 for brand spanking new meter, compound curiosity of 14 p.c on installments of payments, restrictions and penalties on a number of connections at one premises and better penalties on detection payments which are issued by Discos for suspicious consumption like a gradual meter, a faulty meter, theft, and so on. The Energy Division termed the statistics quoted within the Nepra inquiry report on the inflated electrical energy payments in July and August false and exaggerated.
The listening to was presided over by Chairman Nepra, Waseem Mukhtar, and was attended by all of the members of the authority.
It has been proposed within the CSM that customers looking for precedence connections will now face an ‘pressing price’ of Rs15,000 for single-phase and Rs30,000 for three-phase meters. At present, new connections ought to be supplied to those classes inside 30 days in opposition to fee of Rs8,500 to Rs11,500 for a single-phase meter involving 20- to 40-meter cable and from Rs36,500 to Rs50,000 for a three-phase meter. Official of the Energy Division knowledgeable that the brand new price for pressing meter won’t be a safety deposit or value of the meter, as it is going to be the earnings of the Discos.
The regulator requested that what number of days does a brand new regular electrical energy connection take? Official of the Energy Division mentioned that connection is being supplied inside 30 days. Nevertheless, the authority was of the view that if the brand new proposed pressing price is allowed, then the connection of standard shoppers can be additional delayed. Member Nepra Rafiq Ahmad Shaikh requested the official of the Energy Division, why don’t you enhance the prevailing system?
Member Balochistan Mathar Niaz Rana, whereas commenting on the proposed pressing price, mentioned that Discos are dropping shoppers and most of them are going off grid. “In subsequent 5 years you’ll not discover an electrical energy purchaser as extra shoppers will go off grid,” he added.
Official of Nepra knowledgeable that general 208007 home, industrial and industrial functions for brand spanking new connections are pending with Discos from over one month to 1 12 months. Out of it 190,000 connections are delayed for greater than a month, greater than 55,000 connections have been delayed for 2 months, 31,000 greater than for 3 months, 1485 connections have been in delayed for greater than six months, whereas the remaining are pending for over a 12 months. Official of the Energy Division mentioned that the delay in connections was on account of procurement of the fabric on account of LC crises. The regulator requested that when you have issues in getting the fabric for the meter of regular new connections, how you’ll guarantee the provision of meters to those that are paying pressing price?
The intervener on behalf of the shoppers mentioned that the modification within the CSM was introduced by Discos. They need to take cash from the individuals and put it within the pockets of the workers.
Member Sindh Rafiq Shaikh mentioned that it’s worthwhile to give meter freed from value like cell SIMs, which is the one solution to improve your electrical energy sale.
He mentioned that if there’s a provision for imposition of penalty within the provision of pressing meter, the penalty can also be imposed for the delay of extraordinary connection. “In case you are prepared to impose a penalty on the Disco for not offering new connection inside thirty days, we are able to think about the proposal for pressing price,” Rafiq Sheikh remarked.
On the problem of overbilling by Discos to thousands and thousands of shoppers detected by Nepra report, Chairman Nepra mentioned the work will proceed on the report. Nepra will proceed its regulatory course of in future as nicely, the authority mentioned. Nepra’s report on over-billing will undergo the regulatory course of once more, chairman Nepra mentioned.
In line with the Nepra report, improper payments have been despatched to thousands and thousands of shoppers, nevertheless the Energy Division has termed the statistics of the report false.
Member Sindh Rafiq Shaikh mentioned that the overbilling report course of won’t cease. “Now we have confidence in our staff consisting of pros,” he maintained. All Discos have acknowledged that overbilling was achieved, Member Sindh mentioned. Not one of the CEOs of the Discos challenged Nepra’s knowledge, he claimed.
With the proposed pressing price, Discos can be required to problem a requirement discover the subsequent day and guarantee an influence connection inside two working days after the fee. The failure to put in a brand new connection would require the ability distribution firm to refund the pressing price and provoke an unspecified disciplinary motion in opposition to the official accountable.
The stakeholders additionally rejected the proposed modification in CSM regarding the removing of a number of connections and separate electrical energy meters on residential premises that would not have direct and separate entrances from the principle roads. “How is it doable that 4 brothers residing in small home could have 4 separate entrances from the street,?”a shoppers questioned.
Official of the Energy Division was of the view that authorities subsidy is being misused.
Relating to proposed modification, Rafiq Shaikh was of the view that if this modification was allowed, quarrels will begin between brothers in the home. For my part, the way in which the Discos are working, this method just isn’t going to work, he mentioned whereas pointing to the low confidence of the shoppers and poor efficiency of Discos.
The opposite proposed modification in client service guide sought a 14computer rate of interest on installments of payments for any cause. As per the proposal there can be no late fee surcharge (LPS) or markup on the primary installment if paid inside the due date, nevertheless the remaining installments would entice an annual markup of 14computer. The intervenor mentioned that customers are broke on account of excessive electrical energy payments and the federal government is proposing to cost curiosity on the installments as nicely. The burden on the patron ought to be diminished, they mentioned.
Apparently a member of the Authority was favoring the proposed compound curiosity on the installment, saying the installment of present invoice is injustice with Discos.
The shoppers have additionally rejected the proposed greater penalties on detection payments which are issued by energy distribution firms (Discos) for suspicious consumption like a gradual meter, a faulty meter, theft, and so on. The shoppers have been of the view that no theft is feasible with out the help of the Discos officers.