Nepra fines Gepco Rs23m for fatalities

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has fined the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) Rs23 million after a review revealed nine fatalities in its service area during the fiscal year 2022-23.

The investigation originated from a show cause issued to GEPCO after NISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has fined the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) Rs23 million after a review revealed nine fatalities in its service area during the fiscal year 2022-23.

The investigation originated from a show cause issued to GEPCO after Nepra had discovered a total of eight fatal accidents, resulting in nine deaths — three employees and six members of the public. This data highlighted a troubling lack of safety culture within GEPCO’s operations.

In its review, Nepra found that GEPCO had not sufficiently addressed safety concerns, leading to the licencee’s rejection of the defence against the show cause dated August 30, 2023. The fine reflects GEPCO’s non-compliance with the Nepra Act, the terms and conditions of its distribution licence and various performance standards and codes.

Notably, Nepra observed that while GEPCO compensates the families of employees involved in fatal incidents with Rs4 million and offers job placements for their next of kin, it failed to extend similar support to the families of public victims. In light of this, Nepra has instructed GEPCO to align its compensation practices to ensure that the families of the six public victims receive equitable compensation and job opportunities for their next of kin.

The regulatory authority requires GEPCO to provide documentary evidence of compliance within two months. Furthermore, the fine of Rs23 million must be paid to Nepra’s designated bank within 15 days, with a copy forwarded to the Registrar’s Office. Failure to comply could result in recovery actions under Section 41 of the Nepra Act and additional legal consequences.

This ruling underscores NNepra’s commitment to ensuring accountability within the power sector and highlights the need for improved safety measures to protect employees and the public. had discovered a total of eight fatal accidents, resulting in nine deaths — three employees and six members of the public. This data highlighted a troubling lack of safety culture within GEPCO’s operations.

In its review, Nepra found that GEPCO had not sufficiently addressed safety concerns, leading to the licencee’s rejection of the defence against the show cause dated August 30, 2023. The fine reflects GEPCO’s non-compliance with the Nepra Act, the terms and conditions of its distribution licence and various performance standards and codes.

Notably, Nepra observed that while GEPCO compensates the families of employees involved in fatal incidents with Rs4 million and offers job placements for their next of kin, it failed to extend similar support to the families of public victims. In light of this, Nepra has instructed GEPCO to align its compensation practices to ensure that the families of the six public victims receive equitable compensation and job opportunities for their next of kin.

The regulatory authority requires GEPCO to provide documentary evidence of compliance within two months. Furthermore, the fine of Rs23 million must be paid to Nepra’s designated bank within 15 days, with a copy forwarded to the Registrar’s Office. Failure to comply could result in recovery actions under Section 41 of the Nepra Act and additional legal consequences. This ruling underscores NNepra’s commitment to ensuring accountability within the power sector and highlights the need for improved safety measures to protect employees and the public.