Nepra receives 18,839 complaints against power distribution companies during 2023

An inquiry committee formed by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to investigate into consumers’ complaints about power distribution companies (DISCOs) revealed shocking details where consumers were fleeced worth billions of rupees annually, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

According to the report compiled by the inquiry committee in one year, over 18839 complaints were registered against electricity companies in Nepra.

10097 complaints were filed against K Electric. 3,536 complaints against Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and 1,125 against Hyderabad Electric Supply Company  (HESCO).

In the year 2022-23, 827 complaints were filed against Multan Electric Power Company (MAPCO) and 732 against The Sukkur Electric Supply Company (SEPCO), report said. In a recent year, 723 complaints were filed against Fesco and 638 against Pesco, the report said. 423 Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), 313 Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and 167 complaints were registered against KISCO, report said.

According to sources, Nepra had taken notice of the issue of over-billing by the DISCOs in the month of September after complaints from a large number of consumers piled up. The power regulator has decided to finalise the inquiry committee’s report and make it public. The most of the complains were filed against over billings. Replacement of out of order meters, and new connections were remain among the complaints.

Electricity consumers filed complaints related to excessive and incorrect bills. Complaints about replacement of faulty meters and delay in new connections were also registered, reports said. Complaints filed were also related to low voltage and power loadshedding, reports said.

Reporter Awais Kiyani