0.3 million power consumers were overcharged in June, courtesy of the new billing system introduced by the distribution companies on the orders of the Energy Ministry. These consumers were previously under the protected category, whereby they got subsidised rates and exemptions, but were moved out before being overbilled.
It was reported on Wednesday that concerned agencies have completed their investigation and have found that the Power Ministry’s officials were responsible for this.
The report stated that the Prime Minister’s Office has been given a detailed account of the matter, and the agencies have asked for strict action against the officials involved in overbilling customers.
Prime Minister’s Office will reportedly review the matter and necessary action may be taken within the ongoing week.
It is worth mentioning here that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was tasked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to investigate the matter on 6 July. The premier asked for those artificially inflating electricity bills to be punished as it had affected electricity customers whose monthly consumption was less than 200 units.
Similarly, the FIA was ordered by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to gather data on relief being provided to protected consumers by the distribution companies. The interior minister also tasked the directors of the agency to collect and report the data on the removal of protected customers from the said category within three days.
To probe the matter, the agency looked into the affairs of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and the Ministry of Energy. It is worth mentioning here that the FIA had 24 hours to submit its report to the premier.
On the other hand, in Punjab, the government appears to have taken stock of the dire electricity situation and the desperation of the people to avoid highly inflated bills. The provincial government has approved solar panels for 4.5 million customers who use less than 500 units a month.
This decision was taken during the 11th meeting of the Punjab cabinet, held on Wednesday with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in the chair. The solar panels, which will be available on easy instalments, will provide relief to the masses who are struggling to make ends meet as the country goes through a period of prolonged economic crisis.
According to the details of the programme, the government will bear 90 percent of the cost, whereas the customers will bear the remaining 10 percent. According to reports, the installments will be lower in the winter months.
It is worth mentioning here that currently, many households across the country are moving towards solar energy, with most people preferring to go by the net metering model. Under this model, the households sell their electricity to the grid, the credits of which are then adjusted in their bills.
Recently, there were concerns about the government withdrawing the net metering policy. However, the authorities dismissed them as rumours and stated that certain adjustments would be made in the policy.