ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has directed Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to pay Rs 139,860 to Haji Akhtar Raheem (the complaint), who was incorrectly given an additional demand notice for the installation of an electrical connection and transformer due to cost inflation. IESCO had broken its own protocol by failing to establish the connection within 30 days and then sending an additional demand notice to the complainant, who had already paid the original needed amount, due to an increase in the cost of the material.
The President issued these instructions while deciding on a submission made by IESCO assailing the ruling of the Wafaqi Mohtasib directing IESCO to restore the cash to the complaint and implement proper procedure/rules/regulations.
Haji Akhtar Rahim (the complaint) had applied to IESCO for an energy connection and a 25 KVA transformer. Following that, he received a demand notice for Rs 305, 656, which included the cost of allied material. He deposited the payment, but instead of installing his connection on time, IESCO issued an additional demand notice of Rs 139,860 due to the material cost rise. He attempted to get IESCO to retract the demand notice, but was unsuccessful. Feeling dissatisfied, he petitioned the Wafaqi Mohtasib for redress of his grievance, and the order was passed in his favor. IESCO then filed a representation with the President against the Mohtasib’s order.
After personally hearing the case and reviewing the record, the President authorized IESCO to repay the sum to the complainant. He referred to IESCO’s Consumer Service Manual, which stated that once IESCO issued the demand notice and the applicant paid it in full, no additional charges/demand notices may be issued due to the escalation of the material’s cost. He added that, according to the Manual, IESCO was supposed to build the link within 30 days, but it took 7 months.
The President found that Wafaqi Mohtasib’s conclusion was solid reasoning and legally valid. He thus dismissed IESCO’s argument and affirmed Mohtasib’s ruling.
