THERE is much hue and cry over exaggerated and excessive utility bills. I have come across mine which pertains to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). I received and paid last month’s bill which incorporated the meter reading as of Oct 31, 2019, (1123) and Nov 30, 2019 (1330).

Accordingly, the amount was calculated and expected to be paid though it was mentioned to be provisional, although when reading was taken and recorded, the bill could not be called provisional.

A provisional bill is sent when actual meter reading could not be recorded because of certain factors. Now comes the current month. I have received the bill with previous reading as on October 2019 instead of November 2019. Reading for December has been recorded as 1961.

So my consumption of gas during the billing month is 631 (1961, Dec) minus (1330, Nov) is equal to 631 and not 838 (1961, Dec) minus (1123, Oct) is equal to 838.

The SSGC was contacted but nobody cared to respond and rectify the bill and I have been made to pay about Rs10,000 in excess of my actual bill. Is someone listening?

Saleem Raza
Quetta

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020