THE Punjab Energy Department alluring the consumers has advised them to use only its approved and labelled electric appliances and fans to drastically reduce up to 40 per cent of their electricity bills.

Such schemes on the face look very simple, but, in practice, have hidden plans to benefit the vested interests. The advice of this senior citizen is to think hundred times before disturbing more your already disturbed life.

Some years ago, in the backdrop of acute loadshedding, the Karachi Electric (KE), through a campaign advised its consumers, to switch off their unnecessary lights and appliances while going out in order to save energy. Despite having in the past been repeatedly bitten obeying foolishly my civic obligation sense, as old habits don’t die, I followed this advice strictly. From the very next month, I started getting highly inflated bills.

On inquiry I was told that since my consumption had dropped, hence I was being billed on the basis of average consumption in the corresponding month of the preceding year. This answer in simple words was that by saving energy on the advice of KE itself, I had become an electricity thief in the eyes of the service-provider.

Being a day-dreamer, I took up the issue with the federal ombudsman, praying that KE should be directed to immediately remove this misleading campaign from its official website designed with sweet coating.

The ombudsman’s office declined to even register the complaint for formal processing. The ombudsman, universally believed to be the protector of citizens’ rights, took the stand that it can take notice against acts of maladministration. Overbilling me for unconsumed energy, thus, stood no cause of crying, whereas overcharging, if not pick-pocketing, by a foreign investor was considered right.

Muhammad Javed

Manama, Bahrain

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2021