Legislators fund legal electricity connections

Residential area dotted with illegal connections, has population of 10,000 people but no electricity connection lines.

KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) launched its “Anti-Theft Social Development Programme in Participation with Elected Representatives” in the residential area of Bagh-e-Korangi, located in Korangi sector-10 on Friday.

The area, dotted with illegal connections (kundas), has a population of around 10,000 people but has no electricity connection lines.

Two elected representatives, MQM MNA Asif Hasnain and MPA Khalid Iftikhar, donated Rs40 million and installed new, legal electricity connections in the area. But the connections are limited - may vary from 1,000 to 1,500 only.

They contributed Rs30 million and Rs10 million for the removal of illegal power connections and their replacement with legal ones, respectively. They assisted the utility for the installation of 38 pole-mounted transformers (PMTs) in the area.

A ceremony was held at the premises of Soch Foundation Hospital to appreciate the efforts of the donators and to inform area residents of new, legal power connections.

Hasnain, who was the chief guest of the ceremony, said that despite unprecedented and prolonged load shedding, elected representatives have been cooperating with the KESC to improve revenue generation by discouraging illegal connections.

He regretted that the KESC has avoided action against known areas where power theft was rampant, but victimised the entire population instead.

In his address, Khalid Iftikhar urged KESC to avoid “tormenting the entire population” and initiate measures to curb electricity theft. He alleged that the utility was well-informed of those areas involved in the theft.

The two elected representatives, MNA Asif Hasnain and MPA Khalid Iftikhar, assisted the utility for the installation of 38 PMTs in the area. They have also urged the residents that they should get a legal power connection failing which they would not be provided with any sort of help.

Many residents obtained forms for fresh electricity connections. KESC would charge Rs5,764, including Rs500 as security deposit. A new consumer would pay Rs2,566 with the Rs500 deposit and the remaining amount would be paid in six monthly instalments, which would be added to the monthly electricity bill.

KESC’s deputy chief operating officer Amir Zia, new connections director Muhammad Siddique, marketing and communications director Ayesha Eirabi, chief executive officer’s representative Osama, KESC cooperative social responsibility general manager Zehra Mehdi and area residents were present at the ceremony.

KESC loses over Rs55 billion in line losses, which are caused by flaws in distribution system. Meanwhile, electricity theft also costs the utility millions of rupees.

Residents of Bagh-e-Korangi will pay:

Material                   Rs 4,260

GST                           Rs 724

Excise duty             Rs 43

Meter channel charges     Rs 237

Total estimated charges          Rs 5,264

Security Deposit           Rs 500

Total + security deposit     Rs 5,764

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2010.