LARKANA, Nov 1: A large number of complaints have been received here about Hesco issuing inflated and incorrect bills. Sources in the local Hesco office told Dawn on Tuesday that in the Empire sub-division of the company, detection bills were issued to around 600 consumers in October.

Akhlaq Ansari, a professor of physics at the Government Degree College, Larkana, said he had received a bill for Rs14,000 on the charge of using a direct connection for air-condition though he had got the power load sanctioned. He added that the voltage was very low in the area which was insufficient for running an air-conditioner.

Another consumer, advocate Khan Abro, said he had received a bill with incorrect meter reading. Ashiq Nizamani, a singer, also said he had received an incorrect bill. He said he would approach Hesco officials to get it corrected.

An insider said the company had issued detection bills of Rs8,000 to 10,000 to consumers in division-I and II of Larkana.

A Hesco engineer in the presence of MNA Anwar Bhutto said 50 per cent power losses were within the limits of the gird station, Larkana city. So, he added, bills of 50 per cent consumption were regularly issued to consumers. He further said that Hesco received only 25 per cent payment of the issued bills which was resulting in decrease in revenue.

Detection bills were also being issued to people in the Ratodero sub-division, sources in the company’s revenue office said.

When contacted, the SDO of the Empire sub-division blamed consumers for stealing electricity and added he would make a video of power thieves so as to bring them to book.