It’s a very nerve-wrecking process
HYDERABAD: One can’t live in Pakistan as a law-abiding citizen without any corruption record, whether one does or does not want to be involved. Thousands of megawatts are lost in theft thanks to the ‘kunda’ or monthly meter setting installed, which I believe could in no way be done without the knowledge of the lineman or the meter reader of the company.
Moreover, those who genuinely pay electricity bills are sent faulty bills and over-readings so as to coerce them into monthly settings with the relevant company’s officials; in my case, that of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) officials. Besides the policy of sending detection bills is not clear either, because if a meter is detected as malfunctioning due to technical reasons, then why is the customer held responsible for it?
Owing to this, I have been paying unjustified arrears through installments and to my adversity, this month Hesco officials have hurled an excuse that units consumed are less than regular detection charged. Now that the amount of my previous bill escalated with new detection, I don’t have any AC or any other heavy appliances installed.
Ironically, whether one stays at home or not one has to pay undue hefty amount of arrears that keeps doubling every month. I feel unaided and bereft when I reach out to officials, they all give some phony promises that the bill will be corrected next month.
It’s a very nerve-wrecking process. One gets disturbed, mentally and emotionally, to deal with their system. Through this letter, I want to request officials concerned to resolve my problem.
Nasir Soomro
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2017.
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