Karachi, Pakistan~The SSGC recently received criticism for overcharging some people through the new installation program of conical baffles. With the newly introduced program to save gas, many of its 3.2 million customers were still left agitated over some of the hikes that emerged in the surprise billing.
Official sources have confirmed that SSGC, in its latest bills, has slapped an additional amount of Rs 2,085 under the head of “conical baffle” charges. The amount was passed on to all the consumers in the country as part of a “conical baffles” installment scheme for all existing geysers. However, most of the consumers claimed that they received such charges in their bills without installing geysers in their homes.
The regulator, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), had also issued a notice in this regard. As per OGRA, the installation of conical baffles was done with a consideration for saving consumer lives by enhancing efficiency in energy consumption. In case the consumers feel that they have been overcharged then they can file a formal complaint against the company, SSGC, or with OGRA itself.
These consumers must contact the CFC of SSGC or appeal before OGRA to seek redressal immediately, according to an OGRA spokesperson. This is to ensure that the energy-saving measures would not burden consumers with something improper without utilizing the appliances being questioned.
SSGC officials said that a door-to-door survey was conducted so the households, which needed the installation of conical baffles could be traced. Charges were levied uniformly after that and their okay was gotten even before the work on the installation of such devices commenced. The contractors have since begun the installation of conical baffles in the given areas.
SSGC spokesperson said the move is part of a bigger direction that has been given to all government organizations with regards to minimizing gas consumption and ultimately making sure the energy bill for the masses is cut down. “Installing conical baffles in the plant will help minimize the wastage of gas to a great extent during winter months, eventually reducing bills for our customers,” the spokesperson added.
On January 5, 2023, Prime Minister Pakistan presided over a meeting where conical baffles were formalized and ordered that the installation of conical baffles be made compulsory for all geysers that have been in use by both SSGC and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), as ordered by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). The drive falls under a comprehensive energy conservation exercise to respond to the rapidly increasing demand for natural gas during peak seasons.
According to a Ministry of Energy spokesperson, this “is the step the government wants to take in implementing measures to ensure that the country achieves more sustainable use of resources within energy sources while ensuring consumers benefit from reduced utility bills.”
The energy sector analysts appreciate government efforts towards increasing energy efficiency but criticized the way SSGC has implemented this approach. Many argued that charges should have been levied only after installing conical baffles rather than levying charges before their installation.
“It wasn’t a bright decision to collect before the actual installation. It could have been presented in a much more transparent way to uphold consumer confidence,” said an energy policy analyst. Critics said that better communication by SSGC and OGRA would have also helped digest the move better for the consumer.
Consumers who have been charged unduly are being urged to act promptly by contacting their nearest SSGC Customer Facilitation Centre or making a complaint through the official avenues available to the company. The Management of SSGC and OGRA have assured the public that they are already working to clear up the discrepancies in billing and that consumer complaints are being addressed promptly.
In addition, SSGC has agreed to intensify outreach and communication so that the advantages of conical baffles and how the installation will eventually culminate in savings on gas can be brought to the notice of its customers.
The conical baffle installation is a part of the comprehensive effort now being taken in Pakistan to conserve the depleting reserves of gas that exist. In case proper conservation measures do not gain momentum soon, the gas available in Pakistan will be depleted by half by 2027, experts warn. The government and regulatory bodies have thus taken proactive measures to avoid this risk and ensure that natural gas remains a stable source of supply for future generations as well.
Although SSGC’s conical baffle campaign is forward-looking, by themselves they need more work in developing further clear policies for consumers. During the installation process, the company and regulatory bodies have faced immense pressure to address consumer concerns and ensure a seamless transition toward a more energy-efficient medium of usage.
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