Consistent electricity price hikes

Irrespective of their demands and even protest demonstrations, power consumers across the country have no path to fend off the sums that keeps to be added to their electric bills.

In the latest blow, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has made an increment of Rs 6.39 per unit. Although they spared lifeline users consuming under 50 units a month and Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), it will further press already hapless masses.

According to NEPRA, the recent price-hike is part of the monthly adjustment apparatus to settle fuel cost of power generation between October 2011 and January 2012. Due to increment in the prices of fuel in international markets, the generation costs have been increased in Pakistan.

The recent price hike co-occurs with an abrupt enhancement in loadshedding across the country. People are experiencing power outage up to 13 hours a day. The situation once again deteriorated after a brief period when generation was relative constant.

Annoyed protestors, as usual, have started demonstrations across the country, particularly in Punjab. Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala are majorly affected districts when people destroyed the WAPDA vehicles, besides torturing officials. Frustration is at an all-time high, as people are unable to get on with their tasks.

How long an economy will sustain if there is no electricity to run the factories, power looms, textile mills and homes. There is no electricity but prices constantly continue to increase.

The situation has aroused foreboding within NEPRA, as an official of the body commented at the meeting on the tariff increase that better fuel management, less theft and the use of higher quality fuel could help contain the costs.

The NEPRA member also asked the public sector power generating companies to act with great efficiency, which made demand to increase the power tariff.

The incumbent should pay attention to the situation if it wants to keep people calms and cool.

It should understand the reality that the resolve does not lie in further pressing the end-users with price-increment, particularly since they are not being properly facilitated.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=16792

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 22 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.