ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday vowed action against power distribution companies for overbilling, saying that DISCOs would be directed to refund their consumers the excess amounts, charged in electricity bills.
The development came after the Nepra exposed the “most controversial power theft drive” of the power distribution companies (Discos), defrauding consumers of billions of rupees by overcharging them as much as 100 percent. The regulatory authority, in its inquiry report, claimed that the distribution companies were intentionally engaging in such malpractices to conceal their inefficiencies, causing thousands of consumers to suffer from higher electricity bills.
While hearing a petition regarding Central Power Generation Company (CPGC) Block 2 tariff today, the regulatory authority said that it has decided to take legal action against power distribution companies. The authority noted that it would direct the DISCOs to refund their consumers the excess amounts, they charged in electricity bills. In this regard, NEPRA said, it has already penned down letters to two distribution companies.
“A decision, in this regard, will be taken after a public hearing on the investigation report,” it added. Earlier in the day, the power division constituted a four-member committee to investigate “controversial power theft drive” of the power distribution companies (DISCOs), defrauding consumers of billions of rupees through overbilling. –Agencies
