Tripping, fluctuation, irregular electricity supply, and loadshedding without scheduled has become a regular feature in the third largest industrial city of the country through which not only a common man but local trade and industrial sector has also been suffering badly; because major industry is run by contract labour; and non availability of electric supply loose their daily earnings that in turn causing unemployment and threat to law and order situation.

This was stated by the Senior Vice President Anjuman-e-Tajran Faisalabad Hamid Sultan in a press statement which further adds that Area Chief and his senior officers pay no attention for smooth supply of electricity even to the hospitals and Masajid.

It is pity to note that Civil Lines sub division Circular Road and adjacent areas, Masajid remained without electricity consecutively for previous three Juma prayers and the work permit for four hours shut down had been used beyond the limits while no action was taken over it.

Hamid Sultan emphasised, the restructuring of Wapda with heavy loans of IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank had brought nothing to a common consumer. It was also pity that on one side the consumers had been suffering from costly electricity because of IPPs high tariff and heavy loans of international agencies, and on the other hand services for rectification of consumer complaints were not expedited.

Under Y2K communised programme of Wapda, 32000 officers were brought under net but that helped nothing in good governess for the consumers, the statement said.

Keeping in view the increasing complaints against Fesco, it was imperative to establish a sub office of Nepra in Faisalabad so that consumer could got their complaints registered under Nepra Act Section 38, 38B, 39 with convenience. Apart from that, the establishment of Electricity Court under Electricity Act 1910 sub section 14 were also required, he concluded.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2004