Millions subjected to inflated bills in April-June: Nepra

An investigation by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has revealed that millions of consumers across the country were subjected to ‘inflated bills’ during the April-June period as they lost their entitlement to subsidised rates and slab benefits. A report based on information and data provided by Power Information Technology Company (PITC) — a subsidiary of the power division — revealed that the scope of pro rata billing had been expanded beyond its original intent — instead of solely revising bills for periods exceeding 30 days. All power companies, including Karachi Electric, have started applying pro rata adjustments to bills for periods fewer than 30 days. This has resulted in a “significant number of consumers being reclassified from “protected” to unprotected categories, from lifeline to non-lifeline, and from lower to higher tariff slabs. which resulted in inflated bills”, Nepra observed.