LAHORE: Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has decided to send meter readings to the consumers on their mobile phones on a regular basis through SMS service, asking the field staff to start collecting their cell numbers for the purpose.

“The officials are required to start the (number collection) work from the first batch of consumers. Similarly, the images of meters should also match with the original gadgets and those found involved in any sort of overbilling will be sacked,” Lesco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Syed wajid Ali Kazmi told the heads of various circles and divisions in a meeting here on Wednesday.

Following an increase in the complaints related to overbilling, the Ministry of Energy (power division) is working to introduce a ‘software’ that could automatically identify the wrong bill, reject it and generate the correct one with a new due date for payment.

The plan’s objective is to end or at least minimise chances of issuance of wrong bills to the consumers. And if there is still a case of overbilling the consumers, it will be referred to the relevant forum for initiating legal action.

The National Assembly’s standing committee on energy has also recently approved inclusion of a new clause in the Nepra Act that empowers the power regulator to recommend handing down of three-year imprisonment or fine or both to guilty staffer, refer the case to the respective law-enforcement agency to register a case.

“All revenue officers must ensure that the bills being sent to the consumers contain the actual reading and picture of the original meters. And in case of any discrepancy, they must be ready to face the music,” the Lesco chief added.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2017