Power overcharge Scandal

Dr Abdul Waheed Mastoi
SUKKUR: A  bombshell report revealed that Sukkur electric power company (SEPCO) widespreadly over billing its customers across the interior Sindh region. The investigation, spurred by consumer complaints of inflated bills found that
SEPCO  engaged in overcharging and over-billing, with no adhering to proper billing practices. Further report exposes that consumers were routinely charged beyond the 30-day limit, pushing thousands out of the protected category with lower rates. It also revealed that Defective meters weren’t replaced, leading to inaccurate “average” billing for over 40,000 users.
The consumers were billed beyond the mandated 30-day billing period, as a result of which “protected” consumers — those consuming less than 200 kWh per month consistently for six months — were charged the rate of upper slab users.
Under the law, meter readings should be taken for less than 30 days or a maximum of 30 days. However, it found that 1.76 million consumers in the domestic category were billed on the basis of readings of more than 30 days in those two months, while 0.2m were charged a higher slab rate due to the extended billing period.
This moved 0.4m users out of the protected category, while the status of more than 5,800 consumers was converted to non-lifeline. Consumers using up to 100kW per month are classified as “lifeline”.
People demanded legal action against Sepco and urged corrective measures. This shocking revelation raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness in SEPCO billing and its operation system.