- Energy Division orders all DISCOs to extend deadline.
- One-month extension to benefit consumers on July bills.
- Nepra says all DISCOs are involved in excessive billing practices.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an extension of the deadline for payment of electricity bills by 10 days in an attempt to provide relief to the stressed public.
According NewsThe Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Energy to issue an extension, following which the Power Division directed all power distribution companies, including K-Electric, to implement the extension for bills of July and August 2024.
The Prime Minister's directives come in view of the difficulties faced by power consumers, who remain under pressure of paying inflated electricity bills, the Power Division said in a statement.
The extension is valid for one month and will benefit energy consumers only on their July bills. For example, if the original due date for the July bill was August 7, it has now been extended to August 17. The extension will also apply to August bills, which will now be due on September 17. This creates a consistent one-month gap between due dates.
Meanwhile, the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (Nepra) said it has compiled its report on overbilling issues for the period April to June 2024.
The report stated that all distribution companies, including K-Electric, were involved in overbilling practices. Nepra has sought explanations from these companies regarding this matter.
Based on the report, Nepra has decided to issue directives to distribution companies, including K-Electric. The authority has ordered that customers who have been billed based on readings lower than the actual units recorded between April and June 2024 should pay the corresponding prices.
Customers who were billed based on incorrect readings and have not yet paid should not be charged late payment fees (LPS). Those who have already paid with LPS will also be charged a fee, Nepra said.
To avoid average billing problems, Nepra ordered the immediate replacement of the defective meters.
In addition, all distribution companies, including K-Electric, must comply with the Consumer Services Manual (CSM) for meter reading. A compliance report on these directives must be submitted within 30 days.
It is worth noting that last year, in July and August 2023, Discos and KE carried out overbilling. The protected rate status for some users was changed to unprotected due to billing errors in those two months.
Nepra had ordered these companies to charge consumers based on actual readings rather than excessive or average bills, ensuring fair billing practices.
