KARACHI: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in bid to eye-wash power consumers has imposed fine of Rs 50 million on April 3, 2024 against K-Electric Limited (KE) NEPRA Act, for violation of Rule 4(f) of Performance Standards and other violations. 

This order has been signed by three out of five members of NEPRA-Rafique Ahmed Shaikh Member (Technical), Engr. Maqsood Anwar Khan Member (Licensing) and Waseem Mukhtar Chairman.  In this order they said that it is quite evident from provisions of applicable documents that it is obligatory for KE being prudent distribution utility to provide and ensure fair, reliable, equitable and uninterrupted distribution of electricity services to its territory in accordance with eligibility criteria, performance standards, safety health and environment protection which are also made mandatory under Article 11 of KE Distribution Licence.

According to details during hearings in matter of Monthly Fuel Price Adjustments for DISCOs and K-Electric being held on monthly basis, number of complaints regarding unscheduled load shedding by general public had been and are being received by Authority. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that load shedding is being carried out on basis of AT&C losses policy which is not in line with provisions of the NEPRA Act, 1997 and Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules, 2005, and has never been recognised by NEPRA.

Analysts commenting on this order by NEPRA stated that this is friendly-fire between both parties. Complaint was filed against unscheduled load-shedding on April 10, 2023 and judgment took about year by prime power regulators of country. Even then culprits are not punished for three years jail sentence in accordance with NEPRA Act. They are just penalised for Rs 50 million instead of Rs 100 million under Act and this amount too would be never paid by accused KE Company which has never paid any penalty in past. As tradition KE would go to court against this order from where they will obtain stay against it, or matter would be decided out of court.