Govt to resolve capacity charges issue after talks with IPPs: Leghari

MULTAN: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Owais Leghari has said he will solve the issue of capacity charges after mutual discussions with the IPPs.

Before privatizing the electricity distribution companies (Discos), things will be fixed. In a few months, the power sector will focus on its customers and special attention is being paid to improve customer services. The recommendation culture has been abolished in the power sector and no postings, transfers were done on the recommendation of any officer or employee in the last six months. The ministry has a key focus on electricity theft.

He expressed these views while talking to journalists here at the Mepco Headquarters on Monday. Mepco Board of Directors Chairman Engineer Amir Zia and Mepco Chief Executive Officer Engineer Nasir Ayaz Gurmani were with him.

The minister said through the new Board of Directors of Discos, they wanted to make the respect of consumers equal to that of assembly members. To prevent electricity theft and reduce the rate of line losses, prepaid meters are being introduced so that electricity can be used honestly. The government and people cannot tolerate theft. The government is working with the IPPs and China to reduce capacity payments. Due to a decrease in interest rate and appreciation of the rupee, the capacity charges payment will be reduced and the nation will get relief in the next year.

He said the IPPs Board of Directors had been made independent and they had been allowed to award prizes and honours to the best performing employees while incompetent employees would be expelled. It is their responsibility to provide quality customer services to more than 40 million people of South Punjab and any kind of lapse in this regard is unacceptable.

The electricity distribution companies across the country, including the Mepco, are making 118 helplines more active for the convenience of consumers. On a complaint from a customer, Discos officials will immediately contact him and bring all the systems online. Prepaid meters and the Asset Performance Management System (APMS) are going to be introduced that will help reduce the rate of line losses.