Interior minister orders crackdown against overbilling, electricity theft

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for accelerating efforts to curb overbilling and electricity theft across the country on Tuesday. Stressing a zero-tolerance approach towards these issues, the minister underscored the need for relentless action against officers and DISCOs (distribution companies) responsible for burdening citizens with inflated bills. "It is absolutely unacceptable to punish citizens for the incompetence and negligence of DISCOs," stated Naqvi at the FIA Lahore zonal office. He reiterated the government's commitment to tackle overbilling and ensure utmost priority and relief was given to electricity consumers. Read FIA probe sought against HESCO for overbilling He stressed that the priority remains to provide relief to consumers affected by overbilling, reaffirming that punitive measures will be taken against government personnel who are found complicit in electricity theft. Last month, the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) demanded the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) inquire into overbilling by the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO). The chamber's president, Adeel Siddiqui urged the federal government to initiate the probe along lines of an identical inquiry underway against Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). He blamed HESCO for conducting power shutdowns and sending inflated bills.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/r42CPKU