MEPCO Demand Notice: Complete Guide for New Connections
In Pakistan, most of the population comprises users dependent on the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) for their power supply. Seeking a new connection or a new meter, the MEPCO Demand Notice is one of its critical requirements. A demand notice is basically a normal bill for connection charges that need to be paid before the meter installation is done. A MEPCO demand notice is an official document or bill generated by MEPCO when a consumer applies for a new electricity connection or requests an additional meter. It specifies the amount due that covers charges related to meter installation, connection work, site survey fees, and other administrative costs.
The preliminary verification, followed by the site survey process, has been completed, and the demand notice is the document of payment request to MEPCO. The fee should be paid to enable MEPCO to facilitate the next step, which is the setting of the applicant’s meter on his premises. This should be clearly understood from your monthly electric bill, this is not the which relates to a new connection or upgrade and should be cleared in time well to avoid delays.
Demand Notice Bill Importance
It answers various critical issues:
Payment Authorization: Authorizes the collection of new connection or meter installation fees.
Process Initiation: Actual physical connection and meter installation process initiation when this is paid.
Official Record: Legal document confirming application status and fee payment.
Prevents Fraud: Legitimate applicants only to proceed with connections, thus reducing misuse or fraudulent applications.
No clearance, and it will not continue with any wire installation or meter allocation, possibly leading to delays of considerable length.
Procedure to Apply for a New MEPCO Connection and Obtain a Demand Notice
You must first apply for the new connection:
Fill out the Application Form: Either through MEPCO’s official site online or offline at the nearest office.
Submit Required Documents: CNIC copy, proof of ownership or tenancy, site plan, and wiring contractor test report.
Initial Verification and Survey: Verification of submitted documents by officials and surveying the site for connection feasibility.
Demand Notice Generation: Your demand notice is generated after verification by it, indicating payable fees.
Once it is generated, the applicant will receive an alert via SMS or can check the notice status online.
How the Demand Notice Fee Structure is Composed
It depends on some factors as the fee, as follows:
- Location: Cities are generally slightly more expensive than rural ones.
- Service Type: Domestic, Commercial, Industrial, or Agricultural connections have different slabs of charges.
- Load Requirements: The higher the required electrical load (in KW or kVA), the higher the fee.
- Complexity of Connection: Technical complexity or any special requirements in the establishment increase the cost.
For example, in Lahore or Multan, the minimum costs for residential connections in cities range from PKR 15,000 to 25,000 or more, depending on category, while rural areas may find relatively lower amounts. It covers costs such as wiring, meter, labor for installations, and preliminary processing.
How to Check Demand Form Online MEPCO
It has made the process more accessible by now having an online portal, which allows applicants to check it online using the following steps.
- After this, visit the official website of ENC, which is scattered across the new connection requests and notices in Pakistan (sem.com.pk).
- Once you’re there, click on the “Print Demand Notice” option on the homepage.
- The last step would be filling in your CNIC number or the 14-digit reference number you were provided while applying.
- Once the details have been submitted, you will see the current status of your demand notice and the opportunity to download or print the demand notice bill.
- Use the portal, applicants would never need to physically visit and can track the status of their fee payment from within home premises.
Track MEPCO Demand Notice Status
New applicants pay fees and then want to track the progress of it or the new connection status. MEPCO offers tools for online tracking through the same ENC portal:
- Open the ‘Track’ section in the portal.
- Select MEPCO as the company.
- Fill in the tracking form with the reference number or CNIC.
- See your current application status regarding the connection request, from completion clearance to completion of the site survey and estimated installation date.
- This feature in tracking attached to MEPCO keeps information open on how far the application has advanced and what further action or delay is it.
Procedure to Make Payment Against Demand Notice Fees
Once the bill is prepared, payments of fees should be made in approved branches of the concerned assigned banks. Some of the following banks are generally taken as approved for this purpose:
- United Bank Limited (UBL)
- Allied Bank Limited (ABL)
- Habib Bank Limited (HBL)
- Other banks authorized by MEPCO
Take the printout of the bill to the bank for making a cash payment or a payment by any banking service available there. Always ensure that a receipt is obtained and saved safely for reference purposes. Be mindful that the payment is valid for a limited period (usually for 30 days) after which the applicant may face rejection, or a fresh application will be raised.
Common Problems Faced and Their Solutions
The applicants face some problems like:
Delay in Generation: Sometimes it gets delayed due to verification of the application or site survey. Follow up with the local MEPCO offices or check your online status on a regular basis.
Online Portal Errors: Confirm that you have entered the correct CNIC/reference number and try an alternative browser if the problem persists.
Delayed SMS Notification: SMS delivery can be slow, so check the MEPCO portal manually.
Payment Gateway Not Working in Banks: If you are having trouble with transactions, visit the approved banks or their offices.
Demand Notice Fees Aren’t Matching: Contact MEPCO Demand Notice customer care if you feel that the charged fee doesn’t match your application type.
It tries to facilitate customers through its customer care facility and its official website.
Time Duration for MEPCO Demand Notice
Usually, draft issue time takes anything from 10 to 15 days after submission of your application and required documents. This includes:
- Document verification.
- Site survey and technical inspection.
- Internal approval processes of MEPCO.
- Meanwhile, applicants should keep an eye on their status online before making a payment.
Validity of MEPCO Demand Notice
MEPCO Demand Notice general, right after its issuance, this will be valid for one month (30 days). This duration shall be the time provided for applicants to pay the technical fee, keeping the application alive. Otherwise, after passing the said period, the demand notice becomes invalid; hence, the need to apply for a new one, hence restarts the process. It is, therefore, recommended that applicants effect immediate payments, keeping their receipts with them for complaints, if any, in securing the electricity connection.
Conclusion
The demand notice from MEPCO is one of the major steps from securing a new electricity connection to the installation of a meter within the MEPCO service area. Knowing how to apply for, track, pay, and manage one’s demand notice bill will make for a hassle-free connection process with timely electrical power activation. Empowered by the online portals set up and authorized banks that set up and embrace visible payment channels, consumers will be matured toward the efficient management of their needs with regard to electricity. Important practices such as timely payments for notices, knowledge of validity periods, and status monitoring of applications through online tracking would go a long way in order to avoid the stress of unnecessary delays or complications. This entire process gives testimony to MEPCO’s active effort to digitalize and streamline the electricity service delivery for a rapidly growing consumer base in Pakistan.
