LESCO runs out of meters as bills soar

NEPRA questions management over months-long failure to replace defective units

LAHORE:

he Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) is facing a severe and unprecedented surge in faulty meters, resulting in thousands of consumers receiving heavy estimated bills.

Taking notice of the growing crisis, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has demanded an explanation from LESCO Chief Muhammad Ramzan Butt.

According to official sources, 102,000 single-phase and 2,400 three-phase meters have been declared defective or burnt.

Consumers have been protesting for months as faulty meters remain unreplaced, forcing them to pay inflated average bills generated under "defective meter codes."

NEPRA, in its notice, stated that LESCO has failed to maintain the mandatory stock of meters required for new connections and replacement of faulty units since August - a clear violation of regulatory rules.

The authority reminded the company that timely replacement of defective meters is LESCO's legal responsibility.

Consumers say the shortage has caused immense financial hardship, urging authorities to immediately provide sufficient meter stock and ensure prompt replacement to end the "burden of unjust bills."

Sources reveal that the shortage has persisted for six months.

In many cases, consumers with faulty meters have faced undue pressure from officials, with several instances reported where electricity theft cases were falsely registered against them after meters malfunctioned.

Furthermore, thousands of consumers deposited millions of rupees in demand notices for new connections over the past six months, yet their meters have not been installed.

Frustrated customers continue to make rounds of LESCO offices, leading to frequent altercations between staff and the public.

LESCO operations officers, blaming the new management, claim the crisis has resulted from delays in finalising tenders for meter procurement.

Despite repeated attempts to obtain the company's version, LESCO officials could not be reached for comment.

Several LESCO customers have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in the installation of electricity meters and the continued issuance of inflated average bills.

Muhammad Shahid, a skilled labourer, told The Express Tribune that he had deposited thousands of rupees for a demand notice four months ago and has since visited the LESCO office dozens of times.