Transparency in Hesco's tax collection, utilisation sought

Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) President Muhammad Farooq Shaikhani has requested detailed information from Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) regarding the collection and utilisation of various taxes, including extra and further taxes as well as late surcharges on electricity bills. Shaikhani addressed his request in a letter to Hesco CEO Roshan Ali Otho.

Shaikhani has asked for comprehensive data on the total amount collected from commercial and industrial consumers in Hyderabad over the past ten financial years. Specifically, he seeks details on the various taxes collected and an explanation of how much of these funds have been transferred to the federal government.

This call for transparency is intended to ensure accountability and rebuild trust between Hesco and the Hyderabad business community. Providing this information is crucial for the citizens and traders of Hyderabad to understand how the billions of rupees they contribute through these taxes are allocated and used. By sharing this data, Hesco management can demonstrate transparency and foster trust within the community.

Meanwhile, both commercial and residential Hesco consumers are experiencing significant frustration due to poor service from the distribution company. Issues include frequent faults, damaged infrastructure, overloaded pole-mounted transformers (PMTs), and inflated bills. Additionally, Hesco has been accused of issuing detection and bogus bills to customers as a cover for power theft, allegedly involving collusion between Hesco's line staff and officers.