Karachi’s residents are now facing additional charges on their gas bills as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has begun collecting fees related to the installation of conical baffles for geysers. The new charges, listed as “Conical Baffle charges,” amount to Rs 2,085 and have sparked concerns among consumers, especially those who don’t even own a geyser but are still being billed for this service.
What Are Conical Baffles?
A conical baffle is a device designed to improve the efficiency of gas geysers by reducing gas consumption. According to SSGC, the installation of these baffles can lead to significant savings—up to 25% in gas usage. The company has mandated their use for all households with geysers, stating that the device will help lower gas consumption and, by extension, gas bills for consumers.
In addition to making the installation mandatory, SSGC has awarded a contract to a specific company to handle the installation of these baffles in households across Karachi. However, what has alarmed many residents is that the charges for the conical baffles are being applied uniformly to all gas consumers, regardless of whether they actually use a geyser in their home.
Extra Charges Without Geysers?
Residents of various neighborhoods, particularly Gulistan-e-Johar, have reported receiving these additional charges despite not owning geysers. Many have reached out to SSGC to complain about the extra fees. However, they were informed that the charges are mandatory for all households, whether they use a geyser or not.
“I don’t even own a geyser, so why should I pay for a baffle I won’t use?” asked one frustrated consumer. Despite such valid concerns, the company has maintained that the fees are non-negotiable.
It has been further revealed that SSGC awarded a contract to a specific company for the installation of these baffles, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process. The blanket charge applied to all consumers, regardless of their usage of gas geysers, has left many questioning the rationale behind the decision.
The Timing of the Decision
Interestingly, the imposition of these charges comes at a time when SSGC has already introduced a night-time gas load-shedding schedule for Karachi, effectively reducing the usage of gas-powered geysers. With gas supply restricted during peak hours, many households have already started to rely less on gas for heating water, opting instead for electric alternatives or manually heating water on stoves. This has led to an even greater outcry, as residents who have stopped using gas geysers altogether are now being forced to pay for a device they have no use for.
Consumer Reactions
Many consumers feel that they are being unfairly burdened by these extra charges. With rising inflation and increasing utility bills, the additional cost of Rs 2,085 is proving to be a significant financial strain for some families. “We are already struggling to pay our regular gas bills, and now we are being charged for something we don’t even use. This is completely unfair,” said a consumer from Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
SSGC’s justification of the baffle as a gas-saving device has done little to ease consumer frustration. Many argue that the savings they might experience from reduced gas consumption do not justify the mandatory charges, particularly for households that don’t even own geysers.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The imposition of these mandatory charges raises questions about the legality and ethics of such billing practices. Is it fair to charge consumers for a service or product they do not use? Should a public utility be able to force consumers to adopt certain technologies, particularly when their usage patterns differ? These are questions many affected consumers are asking, and legal experts have begun weighing in on the issue.
“There is a clear violation of consumer rights here,” said a lawyer familiar with the case. “No company should have the right to charge consumers for a product or service they don’t use, particularly when the consumer has no say in the matter.”
Future Implications
The introduction of these conical baffle charges sets a concerning precedent for gas consumers in Karachi. If SSGC can impose charges for baffles that many households may not even need, what’s to stop the company from imposing similar fees for other devices or services in the future?
Furthermore, with the ongoing gas load-shedding in the city, the use of gas geysers may continue to decline, making the imposition of conical baffle charges even more questionable. For many consumers, this feels like just another way for utility companies to increase their revenue, even as consumers are left struggling with higher bills and fewer services.
The decision by SSGC to mandate the installation of conical baffles and charge all consumers for their installation, regardless of geyser usage, has sparked widespread frustration in Karachi. While the company claims that the baffles will lead to reduced gas consumption, many consumers are questioning the fairness and legality of being charged for something they don’t use. With mounting complaints and rising public outcry, it remains to be seen whether SSGC will reconsider its decision or if consumers will have to continue shouldering the burden of these additional charges.
