Electricity only for rich people
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 4:30:16 by Faisal Farooq
Apparently we are moving back to dark ages, as the days of affordable electricity are ostensibly over for poor segments of the society.
In the latest blow, the government on Tuesday increased power tariff at the rate of Rs 6.39 per unit under the fuel adjustment charge, tightening the noose around the already economically oppressed people of Pakistan.
Surely, the increment will draw an enormous hubbub from the bowed down people, who were only recently subjected to a massive hike in fuel prices earlier this month, as observable from nationwide aggressive demonstrations against the price increase.
With soaring commodity prices, Pakistan’s inflation figure is already above 11 percent. The masses are left with no option but take on streets against the incumbent.
At a public hearing on petitions filed by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has given approval to raise the power tariff by Rs 6.39 for four months under the mechanism of monthly fuel-price adjustment.
It is vital to mention here that CPPA had sought an increment of Rs 6.46 per unit but NEPRA gave approval to Rs 6.39 per unit.
NEPRA officials while briefing the media said that the latest price-hike was made due to an increase in furnace oil prices, gas shortage and decrease in hydropower generation. Owing to low hydel power generation in winter season, more electricity is being produced by using alternate resources.
According to statics, the share of thermal generation was 34.2 percent in October, 31.1 percent in November, 34.1 percent in December 2011 and 31.3 percent in January 2012. Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and lifeline-consumers using up to 50 units per month will be relieved from the increment.
Vice-chairman NEPRA Ghiasuddin Ahmad said the agreed increase in power-tariff would be retrieved from the users on monthly bases.
Opposing the recent price-hike, Shoukat Ali Kundi, NERPA Member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said there was no justification in passing on the cost line losses, theft in the power and inefficiency to the end-users.
He regretted that the incumbent did not bother to improve efficiency of the public sector generation plants which operated on 24 percent efficiency as compared to their operational efficiency of 36 percent.
Tags: CPPA, Electricity, Ghiasuddin Ahmad, Karachi, KESC, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, NEPRA, price-hike, Shoukat Ali KundiShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=16650
Posted by Faisal Farooq
on Mar 21 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Society.
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It is not Bush we ourselves are desparately pushing ourselves to the stone age. When I say WE, I mean the voters. There is something very wrong with our nation, if at all we can be called a nation. We are absolute destitutes in using our brains. We do not need any outside enemies. We are very much self-sufficient to ensure our destruction.
FPA or fuel adjusment charge is being charged to consumers in Attock district, I know since I live in it, for over a year now. Most of the time electric usage would account to 100 rupees only but FPA charge printed somewhere in the middle of the bill would be over a 1000 rupees. Bravo to our govt. consisting of thieves and looters who are ever active in sucking poor people’s blood.
innocent people with corrupt govt, how long we will face such corrupt leader and suffering in terms of basic necessities.
I think we moved in reverse order instead of going forward.
Allah may save us from such corrupt faces and Pakistan Also
Khuda ne aaj tak us qoum ki halat nahee badli
na ho jis ko khiyal khud apni halat ke badalne ka
Roti Kapra aur Makan was the slogan of PPP ” former” but now Zaardari & Co are after the Achieving of world largest population living below poverty line .
it’s not there habit but Nature like Snake and Scorpion to sting whenever get a chance.