Consumers annoyed with fake billing of the Karachi Electric (KE) and other malpractices of the private electricity supply monopoly of Karachi have approached the federal ombudsman for getting justice.
According to a handout, Muhammad Yameen, Advisor to Federal Ombudsman, during hearing of applications against excessive billing of the KE at Deputy Commissioner Malir’s Camp Office, has observed that the KE is still not avoiding to send excessive bill to the poor, power users, who have contacted the federal ombudsman for getting justice, adding that dozens of applications are being heard and consumers are being doled out justice.
He said that citizens were in trouble due to load shedding on one hand and on the other excessive bills were increasing their difficulties. If this situation prevailed, the citizens would lose patience, he feared.
An applicant, Muhammad Ashraf, told the ombudsman court that 25 people on six vehicles of the KE invaded his house. Later, they summoned his brother to their office and got his signatures on two stamp papers and later gave him a bill of Rs 1,00,000 and ordered to pay it instantly, otherwise their power connection would be disconnected.
He requested to the court to dole out justice to him, and take strict action against the KE. He requested for payment of damages as he was mentally tortured by the KE staff. Advisor Muhammad Yameen showing his displeasure, directed the representatives of KE to avoid such acts. However, the applicant was told that his case was of special nature and he should take it to the common court of law for getting compensation.
Another applicant, Muhammad Tufail, submitted before the court that he was a responsible citizen and he did not ever steal electricity, but still he was sent excessive bill. Advisor Muhammad Yameen provided instant justice by ordering deduction in the excessive bill.
A Pak Steel employee, Shams Ul Hasan, submitted before the court that there were two members in house – he and his wife. He said his wife also spent her whole day while doing her job, but the KE was sending him bill which was equal to his salary of six months, so he was unable to pay this excess bill.
The court ordered to correct the bill and asked the applicant to pay the remaining dues in installments. Another applicant, Muhammad Arif, submitted before the court that the bill he was receiving was not pertaining to his meter number but the KE was asking him to pay it any way. The court provided justice to him and to several more applicants who had moved against the malpractices of KE.
