In court: ‘KWSB wants to bill customers not getting water’

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has sought assistance from all stakeholders in a petition filed against the Karachi Water and Sewage Board (KWSB) claiming to bill customers who are not being supplied water and sewage facilities.

During the hearing on Thursday, a division bench directed the lawyer for the petitioner, the respondents, the Sindh advocate general and the City District Government, Karachi to assist the court at the next hearing. The court needs to confirm whether or not these services are being provided and if the company claims to recover 50 per cent of the charges from people not using any such service.

Nacon House Owners Welfare Association filed a petition to question KESC’s decision to bill shopkeepers and residents of the Nacon House building. The petitioner also questioned the inflated separate bills sent to their establishment.

Earlier, KWSB’s lawyer contended that after it issues notifications, the board is entitled to recover charges (but at reduced rates) even where there is no connection.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2011.