Directives: SNGPL, SSGC to print meter-reading on utility bills

Move comes after consumers complain of excessive bills


APP October 26, 2016
SSGC and SNGPL are also lobbying to grab the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the pipeline. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) will print photographs of the meter-reading on utility bills to facilitate consumers and end complaints of excessive billing.

“Following directives of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, gas companies will place photographs of meter-reading on utility bills,” officials in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said.

They added that gas companies had assured the committee of complete compliance of the directives after taking note of domestic gas consumers’ complaints.



They expressed confidence that printing photos bills would ensure fair play and help remove complaints of consumers as majority were related to billing.

Answering a question, the officials said the two gas companies had detected 133,106 gas theft cases in their respective operational areas during the last three years.

From July 2013 to August 2016, SNGPL identified 130,516 theft cases, involving 18,031 million cubic feet gas and Rs10,496 million in lost revenue. It identified gas theft of 22,819mmcf by non-consumers and 34,154mmcf in law and order affected areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

They said that the SSGC had detected 1,265 theft cases, registered 118 FIRs, charged 713 mmcf gas and recovered Rs613 million from industrial pilferers.



Replying to another question, the officials informed that SNGPL had yet to recover around Rs123.187 billion from industrial defaulters.

“As on August 2016, K-Electric, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Pakistan Steel Mills, two independent power producers(IPPs), 11 captive power units, eight compressed natural gas (CNG) stations and three different industries owe Rs123.187 million on account of non-payment of gas utility bills,” they said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2016.

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