Task Force on Energy Reforms constituted to address power sector issues

November 30, 2018: Evolving innovative strategies to cope with circular debt crisis and power sector issues in a sustainable manner, the government has chalked out a comprehensive programme to address them.

Anti-Power Theft campaign, reducing the gap between NEPRA and government tariff, crackdown on irregularities and corrupt practices, relief for the poor, support for agriculture and industrial sectors, advance metering infrastructure, removing constraints for efficient transmission, improvement of distribution system and solarization of agriculture tube-wells in Balochistan are some initiatives of the incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to data released by Power Division after completion of 100-days of PTI led government, a Task Force on Energy Reforms has been constituted to address the power sector issues.

Under the anti-power theft campaign with the main slogan of zero tolerance for over billing and corruption, some 267,571,528 units had been charged in all power distribution companies (DISCOs) so far, the data revealed.

A commercial loan of Rs35.8 billion was acquired to reduce the circular debt burden further while the government is in process of obtaining Islamic financing of around Rs100 to 200 billion against the assets of DISCOs and GENCOs through Islamic banking.

Some 6,880 cases were registered against power pilferage besides arresting 1,088 accused. Giving the breakup, out of total, some 251,297,525 units were charged in Punjab, 6,554,684 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 9,050,764 in Sindh and 668,555 in Balochistan.

Regarding relief to the poor, agri and industrial sectors, the government did not increase tariff for consumers using upto 300 units besides approving subsidy for farmers of Balochistan on agricultural tube well.

Similarly, for five main export-oriented industries, the power tariff has been capped at the rate of 7.5/unit US cent.

Moreover, for bringing improvement in National Transmission and Desptach Company (NTDC) system, Chakdara 220 KV grid and transmission line has been made operational, extension work at Mardan 220 KV Grid and D I Khan KV line has also been completed.

(APP)