PESHAWAR, Feb 23: Thousands of new connections have been given this year and efforts are underway to electrify every village in the NWFP province before December 2007.

Speaking at a meeting held here on Friday, Peshawar Electric Supply Company chief executive Brig Sakhi Marjan said officials should adopt new corporate culture instead of typical, routine and traditional style.

The meeting reviewed the performance of different circles of the company.

The Pesco chief said the company must provide better services to consumers with professional conduct.

Mr Marjan expressed satisfaction over the performance of some circles for bringing decline in line losses and improvement in recovery.

He stressed the need for achieving the recovery target set by the authority within the stipulated time.

He directed officials to prepare and submit HT and LT proposals before March 1, so that they might be processed and finalised before the closure of current financial year.

Directing the officials to ensure correct billing, he said that every consumer must be billed as per usage so that the complaints of wrong reading must be eradicated.

Stressing upon mutual coordination of offices especially during fault and suspension of electric supply, the chief executive directed field staff concerned that maintenance, construction and renovation works must be completed during March.

He said that it would not only improve the distribution system but would also provide relief to consumers in the forthcoming summer season.

He said increase in new connections had overloaded the system and for that reason proper arrangements were being made to overcome the problem.

Taking serious notice of over-billing and excessive load management in some areas, the company chief warned the officials involved in the malpractice in future.

He said those found guilty would be liable to stern disciplinary action.

The officials briefed the Pesco chief about the line losses, recovery, pace of work on developmental projects, revenue collection and improvements in customer services.—APP