PkRevenue.com – Sindh Minister for Energy Nasir Hussain Shah revealed on Wednesday that K-Electric has charged an excess of Rs 20 billion in billing to provincial government departments over the past decade.
This disclosure underscores the significant financial burden imposed on public institutions due to overbilling practices.
During a meeting with the Council of Economics and Energy Journalists (CEEJ) in Karachi, the provincial minister detailed the extensive overbilling by K-Electric. He stated that the excess charges were identified through a thorough audit of bills sent to Sindh government departments over the last ten years. This year alone, an audit uncovered overbilling of more than Rs 2 billion, which was subsequently reconciled, leading to substantial savings for national funds.
Nasir Shah highlighted that the Sindh government had allocated billions of rupees to K-Electric for the installation of smart meters, aimed at curbing overbilling. Despite these efforts, K-Electric has yet to implement the smart meter installation, several years after the funds were provided. In contrast, utility companies such as SEPCO and HESCO have successfully installed smart meters, which provide real-time data to the government and help ensure accurate billing.
The Sindh minister expressed grave concerns about the impact of such overbilling on citizens, questioning the financial strain they might be enduring if government institutions themselves faced such significant overcharges. To address this issue, Nasir Shah announced that the government would form a joint committee dedicated to protecting citizens from the injustices of overbilling. “We will not let the people of Karachi suffer from K-Electric’s injustices,” he asserted.
This revelation has prompted calls for increased transparency and accountability within K-Electric. The formation of a joint committee by Sindh government aims to monitor billing practices closely and advocate for the rights of both government institutions and ordinary citizens. The committee will work towards ensuring that billing procedures are fair, transparent, and in line with actual electricity usage.
The Sindh minister’s disclosure comes at a crucial time, highlighting the need for regulatory reforms in the energy sector to protect consumers from financial exploitation. As Karachi continues to grapple with challenges related to energy supply and billing, the government’s proactive measures seek to foster a more equitable and just system for all stakeholders.
