IT is a matter of distress that K-Electric (KE) has stopped the doorstep delivery of physical electricity bills to some of its customers. It has done this on its own to promote the e-billing system. However, it is difficult for a large number of customers to arrange payment of the bill under such an arrangement. Moreover, it is unfair to send bills to some customers and ignore others for reason best known to the KE authorities. Bills are required to be issued to all customers, because everyone is equal and is paying at the same rate to KE.

Apparently, KE has adopted this method in order to cut printing and delivery cost on each bill. This way it may have higher earnings, but this earning is at the cost of customer inconvenience. It is not possible for every consumer to acquire smartphone, computer, printer, etc., for paying the bills.

Information regarding the amount of the bill and date of payment is sent on the mobile phone, but payment cannot be made without first going into the details of the amount charged in a particular month.

For making payment of the bill, it is first necessary to obtain its printout from a photocopy shop by paying Rs40 per bill. Even getting a printout sometimes becomes difficult due to loadshedding in most areas across Karachi; thanks to KE, of course.

Having physical bill is also necessary for the customers to check calculations of the various charges imposed from time to time and also for record and income tax purposes.

Even KE staff sometimes checks bill at customers’ doorstep to verify payment status.

Ironically, no political party, except Jamaat-i-Islami, has raised such issues on a consistent basis. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and other relevant bodies should direct the KE to be rational and understand the problems being faced by its customers.

Muhammad Ayub
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2022