The Burden of Expensive Electricity and Extra Units: Where Can Citizens Turn?

The ongoing actions by LESCO (Lahore Electric Supply Company) employees have put a significant financial burden on citizens, especially those already struggling with high electricity rates. The addition of extra units and manipulation of billing slabs have led to inflated bills, causing widespread distress among consumers.

Issues Highlighted

1. Exorbitant Electricity Rates: Citizens are already grappling with high electricity costs, which are becoming increasingly unaffordable.
2. Addition of Extra Units: LESCO employees are reportedly adding 50 to 100 extra units to consumer bills. This manipulation results in higher billing slabs, further increasing the total amount payable.
3. Billing Discrepancies: There are numerous reports of significant discrepancies between the billed amount and the actual meter reading. For example:
   • Syed Ali Shah from Allama Iqbal Town saw his online bill of Rs. 11,024 jump to Rs. 57,910 upon bank payment, with 28 extra units added.
   • Syed Imran Shah from Allama Iqbal Multan Road Gulshan Abbas Feeder received a bill of Rs. 56,419, which included 68 extra units, leading to a slab change.

Citizens’ Appeal

LESCO consumers have appealed to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and LESCO authorities to take immediate action to address these issues. The following measures are recommended:

1. Audit and Accountability: Conduct a thorough audit of LESCO’s billing practices to identify and hold accountable those responsible for adding extra units and manipulating slabs.
2. Consumer Protection: Establish a dedicated consumer protection unit within LESCO to address complaints and rectify billing discrepancies promptly.
3. Transparent Billing: Implement transparent and tamper-proof billing systems to prevent unauthorized additions of units.
4. Awareness Campaign: Launch an awareness campaign to educate consumers on how to monitor their electricity usage and identify discrepancies in their bills.

Steps for Affected Consumers

For individuals affected by these issues, the following steps can be taken:

1. Check Meter Readings: Regularly check and record your meter readings to compare with your monthly bill.
2. File a Complaint: If discrepancies are found, file a complaint with LESCO’s customer service department and demand an investigation.
3. Seek Legal Aid: In cases of persistent issues, seek legal assistance to challenge the inflated bills and hold LESCO accountable.
4. Community Action: Form community groups to collectively voice concerns and pressurize authorities for quicker resolution.

By addressing these issues, it is hoped that the burden on citizens can be alleviated and a more fair and transparent billing system can be established.