‘Unfair’ surcharge: No response from Ministry of Water and Power

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Thursday expressed dismay over the lack of response from the Ministry of Water and Power on a petition challenging recovery of equalisation surcharge in electricity bills. When a law officer of the ministry sought more time for submission of the ministry’s reply, Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan questioned the “indifferent attitude” of the government.

The judge directed the officer to ensure a reply from the ministry’s joint secretary was filed at the next hearing (Feb 20). He said if the secretary did not reply, the court would pass an order.The petitioner’s counsel has argued that the government is illegally recovering equalisation surcharge from electricity consumers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2014.