Islamabad, August 02, 2018 (PPI-OT): The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power was held here in Parliament on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Senator Fida Muhammad. The meeting was attended by Senator Moula Bux Chandio, Senator Aurangzeb Khan, Senator Moulvi Faiz Muhammad, Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan, Senator Muhammad Akram, and senior officers of the Power Division, NESPAK, QESCO, HESCO, SEPCO and PESCO.
Chairman Committee Senator Fida Muhammad took strict notice of the absence of the Power Minister and recommended that he should be present in the next meeting. The Committee was briefed about the implementation status of the recommendations made in the previous meeting held on 5th July, 2018.
CEO Lakhra informed the Committee that the Lakhra Power Plant consisted of 3 units; each of 50 megawatts. Since 2007 to-date its losses amounted to PKR 12 billion. The Committee was briefed that Administrative expenditure along with employee related costs are reasons for the losses incurred. The Committee demanded a complete list of employees and the expenditure incurred on paying salaries and pensions.
The Committee stressed that Lakhra Power Plant must be upgraded and tariffs must also be discussed with NEPRA in accordance with the situation. K-Electric (KE) Officers informed the Committee that 650 megawatts electricity was supplied to KE on the instruction of the Sindh High Court. The Committee was told that the agreement expired in 2015 and the process for the new agreement has been completed.
While discussing the promotion criterion of DISCOs officers, the Standing Committee demanded a detailed list of promotions granted in the current year. MD NESPAK briefed the Committee that it was established in 1973 and it is a public institution with a board of directors chaired by Secretary Power Division. The total number of employees is 5323. The work of the institution has been divided into 10 divisions and 652 projects have been completed in the last three years. The institution has earned PKR 6 billion and 150 different projects are running in 37 countries around the world.
The Committee took serious notice of electricity shortfall in different districts of Balochistan, Chairman Committee; Senator Fida Muhammad recommended that concrete measures should be taken to resolve the issue at the earliest.
While discussing problems faced by Industrial units in Pakistan, the standing Committee requested details of new electricity connections being provided to Hattar Industrial Estate. Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq complained about low voltage issues at the industrial zone owned by him.
CEO SEPCO informed the Committee that 10 districts came under its range. He revealed that there were 54 grid stations in rural areas, however, recovery, he stressed, was a serious issue. He lamented lack of police support in this regard.
CEO PEPCO briefed the Committee that in Bannu 50 percent recovery for electricity has not been paid by the consumer, while the recovery status of Malakand Division is 100 percent. Chairman Committee showed displeasure at this and stressed that it was unfair that despite 100 percent recovery no development funds are spent on this area. He directed the officers of the Ministry, DISCOs Chiefs to chalk out a mechanism to motivate consumers to pay electricity bills. This, he asserted, could be recovered in instalments.
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