MIANWALI: Local officials of the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) are allegedly creating hurdles to installation of solar power systems by consumers on different pretexts to mint money.

A consumer seeking anonymity said that on visiting the local Fesco office for installation of a green electricity meter for his solar system, he was told to file an application for enhancing the existing meter load after getting a test report from an agent of the company.

The consumer alleged that the agent signed the relevant papers without visiting the site against a handsome amount.

He said that the sub divisional officer (SDO) concerned, who issues demand notice for payment of dues for the purpose, insisted that the applicant must get installed an independent power transformer for his meter, at a huge cost, which is beyond the financial capacity of a middle-class consumer.

The applicant claims that he was told by some insiders that all these “hurdles” could be by-passed if he greased the palms of the officials concerned and his green meter could be installed within days.

The local consumers have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice of issue sand order a probe into it to facilitate the applicants in getting installed green meters.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024