KARACHI - Majority of businessmen, especially the shopkeepers have received double amount of electricity bills in the month of August as compared to the amount of bills received in July. The shopkeepers, who had received Rs 4,000 bill in July this year have received Rs 7,000 to 8,000 bill in August which causing frustration for the traders, The Nation has learnt on Sunday. "I pay Rs 12,000 monthly rent of shop and KESC has issued me double amount of bill that is Rs 6,000 in August and how I will manage the electricity as my business has declined due to massive loadshedding in this summer season," said the owner of a laundry shop in Khayaban-e-Shamshir, Khadda Market. The owner of a barber shop, in front of laundry shop, has received Rs 8,000 electricity bill in August against the previous amount of Rs 4,000 bill, although he is not using air conditioner. "Is it not a joke that his bill had also been doubled without any increase in the electricity consumption," said a worker of the shop. The panic among the business community prevails as the shopkeepers of different areas complained about the continuous increase in the electricity prices. The billing department continues to issue average bills to the shopkeepers in different areas of the City. "They have charged us Rs 7,000 while I have no such appliances in my shop that will increase the amount of my bill. My previous bill was used to be around Rs 3,500," said a shopkeeper at Tariq Road. "This is not the only problem we are facing; this is an added misery as our business is already suffering by the loadshedding, most of the time in the day we face unscheduled loadshedding," he added. It is to be recalled here that business community has already protested against the electricity shortage. "Most of the time we have to run our business on generators and as the fuel prices are already increasing, this has reduced our profitability. Now this situation of billing has amplified our problems, as I have got Rs 20,000 bill this month," said a resident of DHA. "My bill was 10,000 per month and I believe to pay the dues on time but now it is a dilemma as I hardly meet my expenses. How can I pay such a huge amount? My business is already ruined due to existing power crisis," asked the billing victim. There is no relief in sight as the existing situation of loadshedding is prevailing day-by-day. The added despair of this over billing has levelled questions against the working capability of the KESC. A barber shop owner showed his annoyance over the situation. He said, "I work day and night for my family. But the situation of electricity has barred me from having any profit. I got the bill of Rs 7,000, while I have only three fans and three tube lights to consume electricity. It's almost an awful gag, I would say as most of the time the electricity is powered off, so how come I have consumed this much electricity." Reliable sources have informed The Nation, "this is a bleak situation but we cannot do any thing in this regard, the new management has to take steps in order to provide relief to the citizens from this malpractice of KESC and its billing department." It is worth mentioning that corruption has engraved into this company, the new management has to take ample steps to facilitate and earn the confidence of the citizens of this mega City. All the commercial areas of the City are hit by this ongoing power crisis. This is also worth mentioning that average billing and excessive billing are now the regular practice of the KESC. The amount paid in this regard only benefit the corrupt employees. This bribe culture should be stopped forcefully by the company and should take steps of confidence-building to enhance its image in public that will give way to their confidence building in the general public. Meanwhile the situation of loadshedding continues in the City. The deficiency was transferred to the public by 6 hours of loadshedding. It continues on rotational bases. Almost all the areas of the City share this burden. Despite the promises made by the government, the loadshedding continues at the time of Sahar and Iftar. Now, government should take suitable and sustainable measures in this regard.