K-ELECTRIC has discovered another means to fleece the public. Effective June 1 for general consumers with a sanctioned load of 5kW, it has abolished the slab system and introduced time of use (ToU) billing. While the introduction of ToU is a laudable decision as it will discourage extravagant use of power, exorbitant rates both for off-peak and peak hours will increase the financial burden on people.

Rates for peak hours (Rs20.70 per unit from 6.30pm to 10.30pm) are excessively high and match the rates for the highest slab which are for consumers who consume electricity in access of 700 units every month.

The ministry for power and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority should look into this regrettable decision and force the power company to revise these rates.

Ayaz Farid Farooqi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019