In a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, it was highlighted that over a period of last three years, Imran Khan led Government made Electricity 40% more expensive compared to tariff level of 2018. The average tariff was increased by Rs 4.72 per unit to Rs 16.44.
This was stated by Additional Secretary of Power Division, Wasim Mukhtar in a briefing to Senate Standing committee onPower headed by Chaudry Salik Hussain . Secretary Power Division informed the committee that Nepra had raised the base tariff by Rs. 3.34 per unit, of which Rs. 1.95 per unit were handed over to consumers in February this year, but Rs. 1.39 per unit are still awaited. He argued that the time required to collect the remaining Rs. 1.39 was a political decision.
He also told the Commission that the government owes Rs 1.3 trillion to independent Power producers (IPPs). Circular debt was Rs 2,280 trillion as of June 30, 2021, but is now Rs 2,324 trillion as of July 31, 2021.
The chairman of the standing committee advised the government to seek lower tariff for IPP products because the government tricked by Large IPPS. A spokesman for the Energy Ministry told the committee that measures have been taken to reduce the Circular debt, adding that the Circualar debt monthly increase was Rs. 57 billion in July 2020 which fell to Rs. 44 billion in July 2021.
The committee also discussed issue of Overbillings in Karachi. National Assembly member Agha Rafi Ullah said excessive billing caused billion rupees being paid by electricity consumers, accusing Nepra of negligence, claiming it was a white elephant. In response to Rafiaullah tirade,, Nepra Vice Chairman Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh said the regulator had already requested a report on overbilling from KE.
Energy officials confirmed that partial overbillings were observed during the Eid al-Adha and Muharram holidays.
Latest posts by News Desk (see all)
- FBR asked to enhance efforts for Broadening Tax Net - May 27, 2023
- National Savings Rate for June-2023 - May 27, 2023
- Islamabad to get a new “Luxury Resort” - May 27, 2023
