THE apathy of K-Electric (KE) seems to be at an all-time high these days. There is just one hour of electricity supply in our apartments after every three hours of loadshedding. The cycle starts at 7am.
With such a loadshedding schedule, how canhouseholds have breakfastreadyfor school-going children and office-going adults? How and when can women do their laundry and press clothes in just one hour? How can mobile phones and inverter batteries be charged under such excessive loadshedding? Every time we approach the KE office torequestforreductioninloadshedding hours, we are told that many flats in our building haveillegalconnections.Ifso, why does KE not take legal action against electricity thieves? Despite 88 per cent recovery from our five apartments in Garden West area, the KE continues with this oppressive loadshedding.
On the other hand, buildings around our apartments enjoy regular power supply.
It appears that we are being targeted for no reason. At one stage, KE even told us to have a separate PMT installed for whichthey sent us a quotation worth Rs10 million.
Some unknown people in Garden West area are now offering illegal connections for Rs2,000 a month. KE teams raided some buildings in the area and removed many illegal connections, but did not take anylegalaction against electricity thieves or those who offer illegal connections without any fear.
By extendingloadsheddinghours,the KE feels that this will help it recover dues.
However, this is encouraging people to get illegal connections instead of paying their electricity bills honestly. Saner elements in KE should take stock of the situation. Till a few years ago, people would attack KE offices and set office furniture afire in protest against KE’s excessive loadshedding. Today, people are showing restraint only because they have the option of getting regular electricity supply by having a deal with those who provide illegal connections. Will it be a good deal for KE? M. Rafique Zakaria Karachi