PM directs strict motion towards overbilling practices – SUCH TV
Top Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to take stern motion towards officials keen on overbilling practices, emphasizing the will for transparency within the electrical energy billing device.
All through a evaluate assembly at the efficiency of electrical energy distribution firms, PM Shehabz advised that the set up of good meters be expedited, a key step against making sure correct billing and decreasing corruption.
“Overbilling might not be tolerated underneath any instances,” the PM said firmly. “Strict motion will probably be taken towards any officials discovered keen on such practices. The well timed set up of good meters is very important to carry transparency to the device, and it will have to be finished once conceivable.”
The assembly, chaired through the premier, mentioned the operational problems of 3 main electrical energy distribution firms: Lahore Electrical Provide Corporate (LESCO), Peshawar Electrical Provide Corporate (PESCO), and Faisalabad Electrical Provide Corporate (FESCO).
Issues had been raised over the gradual tempo of appointing leader govt officials (CEOs) for those firms, with the Top Minister stressing that this procedure will have to be finished briefly via a clear and merit-based method.
“The recruitment of CEOs and different workforce will have to be completed on advantage, and there will have to be no compromise on transparency all through the recruitment procedure,” Sharif directed.
He additionally reiterated the significance of assembly goals set through the Nationwide Electrical Energy Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and making sure that every one assets are applied successfully to fortify efficiency.
An in depth briefing at the efficiency of LESCO, PESCO, and FESCO was once offered all through the assembly. Consistent with the briefing, the restoration charge for LESCO was once 96.82% until November 2024, whilst PESCO’s restoration was once 87.98% and FESCO’s restoration stood at 97.57%. Alternatively, the transmission and distribution losses for those firms had been a motive for fear, with LESCO reporting a lack of 13.04%, PESCO 33%, and FESCO 6.01% in the similar duration.
Shehbaz Sharif additionally expressed dissatisfaction with the growth of good meter installations. LESCO has a goal of 223,365 three-phase good meters, of which most effective 49,470 were put in. PESCO has a goal of 152,559 good meters, with 51,173 put in to this point, whilst FESCO has put in most effective 11,276 out of its goal of 192,311 meters.
Along with the good meter rollout, the assembly highlighted the client provider amenities introduced through the electrical energy distribution firms, together with name facilities, emails, web sites, and interactive voice reaction programs. The firms have additionally built-in NEPRA’s cell and internet services and products for proceedings and factor redressals.
Until November 2024, LESCO, PESCO, and FESCO have registered 99.2%, 99.9%, and 99.7% of shopper proceedings, respectively. To additional fortify shopper get entry to, the helpline 118 is to be had for free from all cell phone operators for electricity-related proceedings.
The assembly was once attended through senior officers, together with Federal Minister for Financial Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Energy Department Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Knowledge Era and Telecom Shaza Fatima, and Minister of State for Finance and Income Ali Pervez Malik.
