ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has moved to overhaul the detection billing system by introducing digital and automated mechanisms aimed at curbing inflated electricity bills, reducing human intervention and protecting consumers from unnecessary financial burdens.
The decision has been taken as part of the broader power sector reform process being pursued under Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, with a focus on improving transparency in electricity billing and providing greater protection to consumers.
Under the existing system, detection bills are issued when electricity meters malfunction, technical faults occur or actual electricity consumption cannot be accurately recorded. In such circumstances, electricity consumption is estimated in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
The Power Division, however, observed that estimated consumption has in some cases failed to accurately reflect the actual electricity usage of consumers. As a result, some consumers have faced inflated bills and additional financial burdens, while disputes over such bills have also resulted in lengthy grievance redressal proceedings.
The existing mechanism has further raised concerns about human intervention and discretionary decision-making in the preparation and recovery of detection bills, creating the need for a more transparent and automated system.
To address these issues, the Power Division has decided to digitise and automate detection billing and directed electricity distribution companies to take the necessary steps for implementation of the reforms.
The distribution companies have also been directed to incorporate the required amendments into the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s Consumer Service Manual and undertake other measures necessary for implementation of the revised mechanism.
Under the proposed system, detection billing and its associated recovery process will be monitored on a monthly basis. The mechanism is intended to facilitate timely identification of abnormal consumption patterns and potential overbilling, allowing corrective action to be taken without unnecessary delay.
The initiative is particularly significant for consumers who receive detection bills substantially higher than their normal electricity consumption. The digitisation of the process is expected to reduce discretionary intervention and make the billing mechanism more transparent.
Federal Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the primary objective of the ongoing power sector reforms was to provide maximum convenience and relief to electricity consumers.
He said reforms in detection billing would help protect consumer rights, improve transparency and strengthen public confidence in the electricity billing system.
The Power Division said the initiative was part of its wider reform agenda aimed at improving the functioning of the power sector while ensuring greater consumer protection through automated and transparent processes.
