The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) is facing a serious crisis as thousands of consumers have received inflated electricity bills. The issue stems from a large number of faulty and defective meters. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued a notice to LESCO and asked Chief Muhammad Ramzan Butt to provide an explanation.
Official data shows LESCO has 102,000 defective or burnt single-phase meters and 2,400 faulty three-phase meters. These shortages have persisted for six months, leaving many consumers without replacements. As a result, customers have been forced to pay estimated LESCO bills, which are often higher than actual usage.
NEPRA noted that LESCO has failed to maintain the required stock of meters for new connections and replacements. This violates regulatory rules, as timely meter replacement is a legal obligation.
Many consumers have protested, saying the faulty meters caused severe financial hardship. Some report undue pressure from LESCO officials, while others claimed false electricity theft cases were registered against them. Thousands of people have deposited millions of rupees over the past six months through demand notices, yet their meters remain uninstalled.
LESCO operations officers have suggested that the crisis is due to delays in finalizing meter procurement tenders. Residents have had to repeatedly visit LESCO offices, causing disputes between customers and staff. Despite requests for comment, LESCO officials were unavailable.
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The ongoing situation highlights operational shortcomings within LESCO and the urgent need to address meter shortages. Timely replacement of meters is essential to prevent further financial strain on consumers and to restore confidence in the electricity supply system.
