KARACHI, Aug 7: Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has announced a new package for its consumers in order to facilitate them in paying their outstanding dues, a spokesman for the KESC said on Thursday.

Domestic, commercial and agriculture consumers could now pay their dues in 30 instalments along with the current month’s bill without any down payment. Industrial and bulk supply consumers would be able to pay their dues in 15 monthly instalments with a down payment of 10 per cent.

Disconnected electricity supply would be restored immediately after the payment of first instalment, whereas in the past 50 per cent of the outstanding amount was recovered by the KESC restoring the connection.

However, in the case of failing to pay the first monthly instalment bill the supply to domestic, commercial and agriculture consumer would be disconnected and the facility would be restored after 10 per cent down payment and the remaining amount in instalments. On second default 20 per cent down payment with instalments would have to be paid, and the third as well as subsequent failures the consumer would have to pay 50 per cent of the total outstanding amount.

For detection bills, the consumers would be required to pay 20 pre cent down payment and the rest in six monthly instalments for the bills prepared for 3 months.

A single instalment would not be less than Rs300.

Industrial and bulk supply consumers would pay 10 per cent down payment and the remaining amount would be recovered in 15 monthly instalments plus the current bill.

On failing to pay for the first time, instalment would be restored after 20 per cent down payment; on the second default after 30 per cent payment; and on the third default after 50 per cent down payment.

For detection bill 20 per cent down payment would be allowed and the rest in 12 instalment for bills prepared for six months.

For industrial consumers single instalment would not be of less than Rs2,000.

The scheme would be considered valid from Aug 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. — PPI