Outstanding dues: Iesco warns CDA of power disconnection

Civic agency blames power utility for billing against non-functioning streetlights

ISLAMABAD: The capital’s civic agency is facing power disconnection for defaulting on payment of its over a billion rupees dues on account of electricity usage.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has warned the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of power disconnection if it failed to clear its outstanding dues of over Rs1 billion.

“Iesco being a commercial entity cannot afford further accumulation of arrears,” the company notice says asking the civic agency to expedite payment of outstanding dues amounting to Rs1.675 billion to avoid disconnection.

Disconnection of electricity supply to different offices of the CDA on account of non-payment of dues is a regular feature mainly because of a dispute between both the departments over actual usage of power.

The civic agency blames the power utility of sending inflated bills against the non-functional streetlights. The power distribution company, however, does not buy this complain saying bill is calculated on the basis of actual consumption.

Due to this reason, almost twice a year the CDA faces disconnection of electricity to its offices including headquarters which is restored upon payment.

IESCO says “It is done sometimes to emphasize on payment of outstanding amount”.

This year too, the significant portion of the unpaid amount is against the streetlights in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.