Islamabad, Sep 1: LAHORE: According to ARY News, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has taken severe measures against its staff members who were implicated in power theft.
According to information, up to 101 workers have lost their jobs in the last six months due to allegations that they stole electricity.
A LESCO representative stated that thus far, ten employees have been placed under custody, while numerous others have had their employment terminated due to serious accusations against them.
Furthermore, a few workers have experienced layoffs and had their yearly raises revoked.
The Punjab Energy Department said on April 7 that electricity distribution companies were overcharging government institutions, placing a financial strain on the province’s coffers.
According to the energy department, the Punjab Energy Department claimed that the following electricity companies were overcharging government departments: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).
The province’s government departments have around 102,000 electric connections, it was stated.It also stated, “The provincial departments consumed electricity worth over Rs 1.91 billion in the financial year 2022–2023 but had to pay Rs 76 billion.”
The federal government “okayed” the deputation of Federal Investigation Officers (FIA) officers to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in an effort to combat power theft, which is worth mentioning here.
According to the sources, the action was done to stop power theft and improve recovery at the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) request.
Regarding the deputation of FIA officers in five DISCOs—Islamabad Electric Supply Company, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Tribal Areas, and Quetta Electric Supply Companies—a letter has been written to the Power Division in this respect.
