Pakistan’s new electricity tariff system has removed more than 300,000 electricity subscribers from state protection, leaving them with shocking electricity bills, Pro Pakistani reported on July 8.
The agency says there is a bitter irony in this development as the new tariff calculation mechanism meant greater protection for low-volume consumers who previously suffered from delayed meter readings.
“To protect consumer rights and prevent overbilling due to delays in meter readings, a prorated billing mechanism is proposed. For those months that exceed the calendar month days due to holidays, celebrations or weather events, consumers should be billed prorated for the calendar month days.”said a proposal letter from Pakistan’s Ministry of Power to distribution companies.
However, in fact, after the introduction of this system, several preferential consumers received double electricity bills, both under the old payment scheme and under the new proportional charging scheme. As a result, more than 326,000 beneficiaries across Pakistan fell under this scheme, losing benefits in June.
The government has promised to take strict action against officials who commit such violations. And Pakistan’s chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has called them “enemies of the people” and demanded “approximately punish”.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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