LESCO must treat consumers equally

[LRE]

LESCO must treat consumers equally



Friday, July 25, 2008
By Mansoor Ahmad

LAHORE

PROTESTS against targeted power outages in lower and middle class localities should be an eye opener for authorities who treat localities on the basis of their economic status.

The News has been highlighting the plight of the lower strata of the society that have been forced to bear more power surges during night than the elites of the city. Lahore was the only major city that put up with this exploitation without protest.

Traditionally the people of Lahore have a culture of tolerance and they generally understand the limitations of utility companies. They realize that there is electricity shortage in the country and they must be patient. The people of this city, however, want to be treated fairly. They were told that power would be shut down equally in all localities of the city. This, however, did not happen.

Authorities have no fear of accountability and they serve localities where elite class resides better than poor localities.

The LESCO has doubled the frequency of power outages and it has made things miserable for people in muggy weather. Power is shut down after every hour and LESCO and WAPDA officials are least bothered.

Reports appearing in the media reveal that protests against excessive load shedding come from localities inhibited by the lower strata of society. There are generally no complaints of unusual shutdowns or two times hourly power cut from posh localities of the city. The protests in few localities should be taken seriously by LESCO authorities lest they spread to all poor localities. This is only possible if all consumers are treated fairly. If there is an acute power shortage on a given day, the brunt should also be borne by the people living in GOR, Defense Housing Society, The Mall or Cavalry Ground. Why should the people of Gawalmandi, Rivaz Garden, Dharampura, Sanda or Garhi Shahu should be exploited to share the entire burden of power shortage?

Any prudent utility supplier under such shortages would have ensured that at least the complaints of the consumers are registered and in case of unscheduled power interruption they are informed of the tentative time when power would be restored. Instead of being responsive to the complaints of consumers, officials are avoiding them. They do not take calls. Their cell numbers printed on the back of electricity bills are either switched off or they do not pick them. The landlines remain engaged throughout the day and if attended the response is unsatisfactory.

As a public utility service, the LESO is duty bound to serve its consumers to their satisfaction. The bureaucracy prefers to ignore the reports that media bring to light about their irregularities because they are rightly convinced that most of the issues draw temporary attention and fade away. The past practice of either contradicting the reports or taking action is now rarely seen. The media tries its best to ensure relief for the common man but final action has to be taken by the government.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=126169