The power metering of consumers by the distribution sector of Pepco/WAPDA presents a most ugly scene if one takes a round of streets of the city. The power meters are hung loosely around the electric poles with electric cables all around spreading haphazardly in every direction. No consumer can identify his meter in this clutter. He can neither read his meter nor find out if it is running or stopped. To say if the meter is fast or slow is beyond his technical capability. At most places meters are fixed at a height from where even the Pepco line staff cannot read them correctly. Most of the meters are installed in a tilted position, without terminal covers and meter covers. The meters are left prone to the vagaries of the weather. They can burn out, are open to damage and sabotage by any one including the Pepco staff. The wiring of the meters is messy, loose and lengthy and adds to the line losses, which are one of the highest in the world. How on earth a consumer can be held accountable and responsible for a meter installed outside his premises on poles? Can he be expected to guard the meter at all times or report as soon as the meter malfunctions? In the first place he will not know if it is malfunctioning or not Or can he be expected to protect his meter from damage by rain, hailstorm, sun heat or gusty winds? Pepco needs to be taken to task for the decision of taking the meters outside the consumer premises on to live electric poles. If the meters were installed inside the consumer premises, as was the practice before, with proper fittings, boxes and seals, the consumers could be held responsible for the safety and security of the installation. -R. BHUTTA, via e-mail, June 17.