20000320

KESC sets up two

committees

for out-of-court

dues settlement

KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has constituted two committees for negotiating out of court settlement of billing cases, amounting to over Rs 1 billion, pending in courts and with Electric Inspectors of the Government of Sindh.

In case of amicable settlement, lawyers of both parties (consumers and KESC) will devise procedure for the withdrawal of cases.

'Committee A,' headed by KESC Managing Director Brig Shahid Mukhtar, will take up the cases of over Rs 500,000, while 'Committee B,' headed by Lt Col Saleh Mohammad (Adviser, Implementation) will consider cases of less than Rs 500,000. Both committee will scrutinise the cases and give recommendations on merit.

KESC law department will provide information regarding progress of legal proceedings and the present status of the case, with comments. The committees will hold fortnightly meetings and discuss cases before negotiating with the consumers. After detailed scrutiny and study of cases, consumers will be called for meeting with the members of the committee.

A monthly joint meeting of the two committees will be held, with the approval of the KESC managing director. The recommendations of 'Committee B' will be referred to MD for approval. However, the cases of over Rs 500,000 will be referred to KESC's board of directors, if the MD deems fit.

The KESC has around 1.5 million consumers Ñ domestic, commercial and industrial Ñ and only federal and provincial government owe it around Rs 4 billion. However, these dues are being reconciled with both governments and soon payment will be started to the KESC, which is facing monthly deficit of Rs 50 to 70 million on account of non-recovery of bills.ÑPPI