Kissan Package 2022: NEPRA notifies Rs3.60 cut in power tariff

In line with the proposal sent by the federal government in concurrence regarding Kissan Package 2022 announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in October, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Tuesday notified a power tariff cut by Rs3.60 per kWh.

NEPRA mentioned that the Ministry of Energy had filed an application on December 13, requesting the authority to share its concurrence regarding Kissan Package 2022 for a reduction in the price of electricity for agricultural consumers.

Following the request, NEPRA reduced the power tariff by Rs3.60 per unit in their current base rate of Rs16.80. These rates are also applicable to private agriculture consumers of all DISCOs and K-Electric.

PM Shehbaz announced a special Kissan Package worth Rs1,800 billion to facilitate farmers who will be provided loans, sufficient availability of fertilisers at reduced rates and a reduction in electricity tariff for around 300,000 agricultural tube-wells across the country.

The power regulator notified the following:

• Private agriculture consumers of all distribution companies and K-Electric shall be provided relief of Rs3.60 per kWh in their current base rate of Rs16.80 per kWh
• Fuel charges adjustments, quarterly tariff adjustments and taxes, and duties shall be paid by the consumers as usual.
• Additional supplementary grant of Rs28 billion with effect from November 1, 2022, in the head of Tariff Differential Subsidy (TDS)
• Release the same grant to the Power Division for the implementation of PM's Kissan Package

“The authority has considered the request of the ministry and observed that the ministry has not requested any change in the NEPRA-determined tariff or revenue requirement of distribution companies.

“In view thereof, the authority has no objection to the instant proposal, as it does not have any impact on NEPRA determined tariff, hence, approved. No adjustment on this account will be allowed in the tariff determination of DISCOs,” the statement read.