Murad proposes withdrawal of power tariff slabs

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his meeting with Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari via video link, has proposed that since the production of electricity is higher than the demand, the tariff for peak hours and different slabs may be withdrawn to provide relief to low-income customers.

Officials said the CM was assisted by his Energy Minister Syed Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif and Secretary Energy Musadiq Khan. The federal minister was assisted by Federal Secretary for Power Dr Fakhre Alam.

The CM and the federal minister discussed the proposal to provide relief to low-income electricity customers. Shah said the low-income and the targeted customers using 300 to 500 units per month may be provided relief in the electricity bills. “In this regard, the provincial government has submitted its proposals for discussion and consideration,” he said.

Shah said different slabs of tariff needed to be abolished by offering flat rates to all domestic consumers. In this, the consumption of electricity would be increased and the customers naturally using 300 to 500 units per month could be targeted for relief through the BISP programme.

Federal Minister Leghari said the prime minister had already tasked him with working out a detailed plan so that low-income customers could be provided relief in their bills. “I have received directives from the president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, to discuss the plan with you [the chief minister] and find a way out for the low-income customers,” he said.

Shah said the federal government would have to reduce the cost of power production by utilising local and indigenous fuel. “The electricity tariff could only be reduced when the production cost would come down.”

Federal Minister Leghari said the electricity demand had come down for different reasons, and the peak hours in the sense of demand have also changed; therefore, the proposals given by the CM could be considered. As far as the abolition of different slabs was concerned, Leghari said that matter was debatable.

Shah proposed providing electricity to factories at a subsidized rate if they started a night shift. In this way, the produced power could be utilized and simultaneously employment opportunities would be created. At this, Minister for Power Leghari said he would have a separate session with the chief minister either in Karachi or Islamabad to discuss and finalise different proposals.