ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has decided to introduce fundamental reforms in the electricity detection billing system to protect consumers from inflated bills, unnecessary hardship and additional financial burdens.
The initiative is part of the broader power sector reform agenda being pursued under Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, with a focus on improving consumer protection and strengthening transparency in the electricity billing system.
Detection bills have traditionally been issued in cases where electricity meters malfunction, technical faults occur or actual consumption cannot be accurately recorded. In such circumstances, consumption is estimated in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
However, the Power Division noted that in some cases, estimated consumption does not correspond with actual usage, resulting in inflated bills and prolonged grievance proceedings. The scope for human intervention in the existing system has also raised concerns regarding transparency and potential irregularities.
Taking notice of these issues, the Power Division has decided to digitise and automate the detection billing system to minimise human intervention and reduce discretionary powers.
In this regard, directions have been issued to all distribution companies (Discos) to incorporate the necessary amendments into NEPRA’s Consumer Service Manual and take other measures required to implement the new mechanism.
Under the proposed system, detection billing and the associated recovery process will be monitored on a monthly basis. This will enable timely identification of overbilling and abnormal consumption patterns and facilitate corrective action without unnecessary delays.
According to an official statement, Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the primary objective of the ongoing power sector reforms was to provide maximum convenience and relief to electricity consumers.
He said reforms in the detection billing system would help safeguard consumer rights, improve transparency in the billing process and strengthen public confidence in the power sector.
The Power Division said digitisation and automation would also reduce opportunities for human interference and ensure greater consistency and uniformity in the application of detection billing rules.
The reforms are expected to provide consumers with a more transparent mechanism for dealing with meter-related discrepancies while reducing disputes arising from inaccurate or excessive detection bills.
