The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has proposed changes to electricity detection billing rules. The proposed amendments target cases linked to electricity theft and meter manipulation.
Under the proposal, distribution companies (Discos) could issue detection bills for up to 12 months. This limit would apply to certain registered consumers involved in electricity theft cases.
The proposed changes are part of amendments to the Consumer Service Manual (CSM). NEPRA has invited stakeholders and the public to submit comments on the proposals.
Detection Bills Could Cover 12 Months
Under the proposed rules, commercial and industrial consumers could receive detection bills covering up to 12 months. The same could apply to tube well and other registered consumers.
The bill would be calculated according to the consumer’s electricity load. It would not depend on previous or future electricity consumption.
However, domestic consumers would continue to have a shorter limit. Their detection bills could cover a maximum period of six months.
The proposed rules also identify several situations where detection bills could be issued. These include the use of bogus or fake electricity meters.
Detection billing could also apply when a meter’s load profile is frozen or manipulated. Software-based manipulation of billing meters would also fall under the proposed rules.
Meter Reading Manipulation Included
The proposals also cover cases where meter readings are reversed or changed using electronic devices. Bluetooth devices are specifically included among the methods mentioned.
Cases involving breaches of billing meter security would also be covered. Other forms of meter tampering could similarly result in detection billing.
NEPRA has proposed using the consumer’s load as the basis for calculating these bills. This would replace calculations based on previous or future electricity consumption in the specified cases.
The proposed changes come as Pakistan continues efforts to improve the electricity billing system. Earlier this month, the Power Division announced reforms aimed at reducing unnecessary detection billing and improving monitoring.
Final Decision Still Pending
The proposed amendments have not yet become final rules. NEPRA must complete its regulatory process before the changes can take effect.
The regulator issued a public notice on September 25 seeking comments on the proposed Consumer Service Manual amendments.
Stakeholders have been given 30 days to submit their views. The consultation period is scheduled to end on October 25.
If approved, the amendments would change how Discos calculate detection bills in several electricity theft cases. Domestic consumers would retain the six-month maximum period.
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For other registered consumer categories, the proposed maximum would increase to 12 months. The final rules will depend on NEPRA’s review and approval process.
