Power Distribution Companies
LAHORE: The Punjab Energy Department has leveled accusations against power distribution companies, alleging that they have been overcharging government institutions, thereby imposing a significant burden on the provincial exchequer.
According to the energy department, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) are all implicated in overcharging government departments.
The department highlighted that there are more than 102,000 electric connections across various government departments in the province.
Despite consuming electricity worth over Rs 1.91 billion during the financial year 2022-23, the departments were billed an exorbitant amount of Rs 76 billion.
To address this issue, officials from the Punjab Energy Department revealed the implementation of a new policy aimed at curbing overcharging by power distribution companies.
Under this policy, governmental departments will now pay their electricity bills only after verifying the meter readings.
In an effort to address these concerns, the energy department has dispatched letters to various entities, including the Punjab Assembly, Civil Secretariat, all Administrative Secretaries, Punjab Police, and the prisons department.
These letters serve as a call to action, urging the institutions to escalate any unresolved grievances to the energy department for further intervention.
By taking proactive steps to rectify the issue of overcharging, the Punjab Energy Department aims to alleviate the financial strain on government institutions and ensure fair and transparent billing practices by power distribution companies.
