THE due date for utility bills like electricity, gas and telephone etc) falls on different days of the month. Thus consumers are compelled to stand in long queues thrice a month for the payments of these bills.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the authorities have appealed to the people to go into self-quarantine. Since a medical emergency has been declared in the country and most parts have opted for lockdown, it is suggested that in the utility bills for March 2020, the due date should be left open, so that consumers can make payments on a single visit to the banks, at their convenience. Also no penalty or late paymeny should be imposed. Moreover, the concerned utility organisation must ensure the dispatch of bills by the tenth of each month.

Syed Safdar Husain
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2020