Court moved against inflated billing by power utility

A resident of Gulistan-e- Johar has approached the Sindh High Court against excessive billing by the K-Electric.

Citizen Ghayur Haider, through advocate Sohail Hameed, took the stand in the constitutional petition that K-Electric is illegally adding income tax, sales tax and fuel adjustment in the bills. Surcharge and additional surcharge are also being applied illegally in the bills. Income tax cannot be imposed without the notification of the federal government, sales tax is also being levied illegally. Rate fixing is the responsibility of the Council of Common Interest and not the Federal Ministry of Powser and Water (NEPRA). It is the responsibility of the federal government to formulate a policy on electricity. If the federal government or any institution takes unilateral action, the high court can declare it illegal. NEPRA and K-Electric have been made parties in the petition.

Irrigation dept put on notice

The SHC has directed the Irrigation Department and other relevant parties to respond by August 20 to a petition filed by a water-deprived farmer in Sujawal.

During a hearing, the petitioner's counsel argued that the water courses in Sujawal are not receiving water, leaving the tail-end channels without access to this essential resource.

The counsel alleged that influential individuals have taken control of the watercourses, using the water for their own benefit and depriving others of their rightful share. The employees of the irrigation department also heeded them because of their influence.

In response to the petition, the Judicial Magistrate has ordered the registration of cases against stealing water. All the orders of the Judicial Magistrate are being implemented.