Citing problems with revenue collection, the Faisalabad Electric Power Supply Company (FESCO) recently prohibited paying electricity bills in instalments. Since the previous instalment facility was impacting FESCO’s revenue, this action attempts to avoid shortages. Before the restriction, consumers who found it difficult to pay their electricity bills all at once could choose between two or three instalment plans by visiting FESCO offices. However, this flexibility affected FESCO’s financial stability. In related improvements, the Public Electric Power Administrative Power (NEPRA) has carried out another additional charge strategy for past-due instalments. Instalments made in no less than three days of the due date will be dependent upon a 5% extra charge under this strategy, while instalments made following three days will be dependent upon a 10% expense.
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Late Installment Charge for Power Bills
| Payment Duration | Surcharge |
| Within 3 days past the due date | 5% |
| More than 3 days past due date | 10% |
The goal of this updated structure is to encourage on-time payments while giving customers more flexibility. Previously, past-due bills were subject to a consistent 10% late payment fee.
Effects of the Prohibition on Customers
According to Fesco, the decision to freeze instalment payments was taken due to concerns that the provision was hurting income. As a result, customers will no longer be able to pay their electricity bills in instalments, which has worried locals who are already facing rising electricity costs.
Higher penalty for late payment
The government has increased the penalty for individuals who fail to pay their bills on time by four times, which has only made things worse for electricity users. Many residents are unhappy with the increase in penalty as they are finding it difficult to manage their money due to the increased cost of electricity.
Reaction of the Public to the New Measures
The public reaction to the latest reforms has been extremely angry, and many residents have expressed their displeasure. Residents have expressed concern that the combination of increased penalties on homes already facing high electricity bills and restrictions on tenancies will further increase the electricity burden.
Conclusion:
Customers are upset over FESCO’s intention to eliminate electricity bill instalment payments and increase late payment penalties. Although the action is intended to address problems with tax collection, it might make matters worse for homes that are already bearing the brunt of growing electricity bills. Despite being intended to promote prompt payments, the new surcharge policy might put further financial hardship on consumers. Authorities must examine options that strike a balance between revenue requirements and consumer affordability as citizens adjust to these changes, taking into account the effects on disadvantaged groups.
FAQ’s:
1. Can I still pay in instalments?
FESCO no longer accepts partial payments in instalments. You can still use a variety of payment options, such as mobile apps and internet payments, to pay your account in full, nevertheless. To prevent late fines, it’s crucial to pay the whole amount owed by the deadline.
2. If I think there’s a mistake, may I still ask for a bill review?
Yes, FESCO still offers services for reviewing and disputing bills. You can get in touch with their customer support to ask for a review and clarification if you think your bill contains an error.
3. How long does it take to pay a bill?
The processing of bill payments may take up to three days.
