ISLAMABAD, Apr 2: The Senate Standing Committee on Power Division  Tuesday was informed that liabilities was main issue in further privatization of K-Electric to Shanghai Electric Power which was piled up to Rs 125 billion over the period.

Briefing the Senate Panel which met with Fida Muhammad in the Chair, Secretary Power Division Irfan Ali said that public departments and companies including Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and  National Transmission & Despatch Company etc owed Rs 125 billion to the KE.

He said that mechanism had to be evolved to sort out liabilities issue. The KE also owed some dues to the government departments, he added. He also suggested to appoint retired judge of Supreme Court for arbitration.

The process to hand over KE to Shanghai Power was stalled due to the liabilities issue, he added. The Secretary said, “We want honest and amicable solution to this issue.” He expressed the hope that the issue would be resolved shortly.

The committee was apprised that a total of 333 connections were provided to Afghans Refugee Camps in the country and an outstanding amount against the camps stood at Rs 247 million.

Peshawar Electric Supply Company Chief, Dr Amjad Khan told the committee that single and three phase connections were provided to the camps and dues were pending against those camps which had been disbanded. The existing camps were regularly paying their bills, he added.

Regarding inquiry into recovery of 600/650 stolen transformers of PESCO by FIA, the committee was told that transformers were stored in different places due to shortage of space in stores.
The Secretary Power Division said that transformers should be placed only in specified areas.
He also assured the committee that PEPCO team would conduct inquiry in this regard.
He said the power distribution companies would not collect any amount for repair of transformers and damage one would be replaced immediately.
The committee said that the consumers were not being provided wire and pipes  during installing new connection despite collecting charges from them and recommended that such collection under these heads should be stopped.
The meeting was also attended by Senators Muhammad Akram, Mushahid Ullah Khan, Moula Bux Chandio, Shahmim Afridi, Nauman Wazir Khattak and senior officials of ministry of Power Division.

(APP)

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