Consumers attack Lesco office over severing connections

LAHORE:Consumers of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) on Monday vandalised Halla Subdivision office over severing power connections.

According to a spokesperson of power utility, the electricity connections were cut off due to non-payment of electricity bills. The attackers came to the local office and started a bitter conversation to restore their connections in Halla subdivision. The hooligan elements vandalised the office and scuffled with the staff after abusing them, alleged Lesco spokesperson.

The staff told them that consumers must submit their dues and then connection can be restored. The accused started damaging office furniture and also tore official documents. An FIR against the accused has been submitted to the police station concerned.

Meanwhile, Lesco on Monday claimed that no unannounced load shedding is being carried out in any area of its region and terming the transformer-burning ratio as exaggerated by some sections of media. The spokesperson clarified that there is no truth in the news of two to three transformers breaking down on a daily basis in all subdivisions. During the last nine days, he added, only 51 burnt transformers were replaced in time, apart from this, a minor technical fault occurred in the transformer in some areas, which was rectified in time by the Lesco field staff. Lesco staff is engaged in immediate redressal of customer complaints while staff shortage is also being managed in an optimal manner, he mentioned.

Meanwhile, Lesco Chief Executive Officer Engineer Shahid Haider Monday said the series of open courts are underway in all circles of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) to address the customers’ complaints regarding overbilling and other issues. Talking to reporters, CEO said the company was continuing with this practice following the special instructions of the Ministry of Power Division, with an aim of solving problems faced by the consumers in electricity bills and other matters immediately. He said special customers’’ hearings were being conducted across the Lesco region and the public was also being informed about this in advance through the media and banners installed in the relevant Lesco offices. The CEO said some 1,357 complaints were received on July 22nd open court, out of which 1,323 complaints were redressed on the spot.