PM directs provinces to curb power theft

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday directed the power Aminister and Power Division secretary to coordinate with the provinces for curbing electricity theft, improving performance of power distribution companies (Discos) and streamlining other matters of the sector.

Presiding over a meeting called to review the power ministry matters, he expressed the government’s resolve to stop electricity theft, reduce line losses and improve power distribution system across the country. He said that recently the government had appointed new board chairmen and members to five power distribution companies through a transparent process and expressed the hope that it would further improve the performance of Discos.

“A whole of the government approach should be adopted to curb power theft across the country,” the PM said and directed the provincial governments to maintain police force and tehsildars as per the requirement of Discos.

He also ordered the authorities concerned to deal with corrupt elements in the power distribution companies with an iron hand and take strict action against them. He directed Discos to make the kutchehri system more effective and result-oriented for addressing the public complaints. PM Shehbaz said the steering committee formed to shift agriculture tube-wells to solar energy in Balochistan should be convened immediately.

The meeting was informed that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the transfer of agricultural tube-wells in Balochistan to solar energy had been notified to the steering committee. The meeting was further informed that a package was being prepared for officers who had shown good performance.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari and officers of the relevant ministries and divisions.

Separately, Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb told a press conference on Sunday the largest relief package in Pakistan’s history had been announced by Nawaz Sharif, under which Rs45 billion would be provided in relief to electricity consumers using between 201 to 500 units. The Punjab government would fund the relief from its budget, reducing the electricity cost by Rs14 per unit in August and September months, she added.

She criticised certain elements for spreading propaganda and opposing the relief package, accusing them of attempting to create discord among the provinces.

Contradicting claims that consumers using 1 to 200 units had been excluded from the relief, Marriyum clarified that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already allocated Rs50 billion from the federal budget for such consumers.

The relief would also be applicable to electricity consumers of Islamabad capital territory for their July, August and September bills, while relief would be given in August and September bill in Punjab. She called on other provinces — Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan — to adopt Punjab’s model and reduce electricity bills from their budgets as well.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has formally dispatched letters to the electricity companies for providing relief to the Punjab and Islamabad electricity consumers at the rate of Rs14 per unit. The Punjab government officials said that on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, five electricity companies had been sent official letters. Secretary Energy Punjab Dr Naeem Rauf dispatched letters to Discos of Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan.

In the letter written by the Punjab government, it has outlined to Discos to inform the electricity consumers about the reduction amounting to Rs14 per unit in the government package. IESCO, MEPCO, GEPCO, FESCO and LESCO will make reduction in the electricity bills of consumers using between 201 to 500 units.

The difference of amount between the real cost of electricity and provision of relief will be paid by the Punjab government. On the demand of electricity companies, the Punjab government will transfer the required amount to Discos.