20000121

SHC issues notice to AG in petition against KWSB

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: On the advice of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Abdul Jaleel Bintory and ten others have filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court against Karachi Water and Sewerage Board for demanding water charges without supply of water.

The Chief Coordinator of the CPC, Shams-uz-Zaman, said on Thursday that the petition was fixed for January 19, before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mr. Justice Nizam Hussain Siddiqui and Mr. Justice Ghulam Rabbani. The court has issued notice to the advocate general of Sindh and the respondent KWSB for February 3, 2000.

The respondent is directed to file para-wise comments within 10 days.

The petitioners were represented by Barrister Qamar Abbas.

Dish antenna/VCR fees: The CPC has also filed a constitutional petition in the Sindh High Court against the levy of dish antenna/VCR fees.

Zaman said as no service was provided by PTV for these two installation, therefore PTV was not supposed to ask for these fees. "The general public and media supported our cause and on pressure build up on the government the former information minister had announced withdrawal of these fees on the floor of the Upper House."

On finding that some unidentified people posing as inspectors are visiting houses and are demanding these fees, CPC of the Helpline Trust has sought clarification from PTV, he said.

PTV has confirmed that though the statement of the former minister had appeared in the press, no notification in this respect had been issued by the government.

CPC has demanded of the media adviser, Javed Jabbar, to arrange issuance of the notification in respect of the abolition of the VCR/dish antenna fees.

CPC has advised consumers to report the visit of any person demanding these charges on phone Nos. 588-9830, 541-842.