May 26, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 13,1423

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FAISALABAD, May 25: The tehsil municipal administration’s entire system, including working of traffic signals, street lights, public latrines and others electric installations, has halted owing to power suspension by local electricity supply company.

Dawn learnt on Thursday people had been facing ordeal as the tussle between the TMA and Fesco had aggravated. If Fesco authorities raise up month after month the issue of non-payment of dues, the municipal officials claim receiving inflated electricity bills.

Fesco officials allege the TMA owes Rs12 million a month to the local electricity supply company.

A TMA spokesman said Fesco authorities without any notice disconnected the power supply from all the municipal installations, triggering innumerable problems for the citizens.

Despite their repeated demands, he alleged Fesco neither installed separate meters nor issued bills according to factual consumption. Fesco officials were bent on disturbing normal system by exerting its monopoly, he alleged.

The source claimed the municipal authorities offered payment of Rs6 million to Fesco out of the inflated amount to lessen the troubles of people. However, he said, Fesco was adamant to receiving the full amount which was not possible for the TMA to pay due to financial restraints.

When contacted, Fesco spokesman claimed the dispute of payment of electricity bills had been resolved many a time. After restoration of power supply, he said the TMA officials backed out of their commitments.

The electricity supply would be restored permanently after the clearance of all dues by the TMA officials, he insisted.