Power sector receivables stand at Rs788.39 bn

ISLAMABAD: The receivables of power sector have surged to Rs788.39 billion, according to official data of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) during July-November 2017 period.

The receivables also include Rs18.6 billion assessed for KP consumers from September 5, 2008 to September 15, 2010 on account of differential of tariff after the withdrawal of KP petition from Peshawar High Court.

The said assessed amount has not been passed on to consumers. The payment of these receivables has been linked with mark-up on net hydel profit arrears payables to government of KP.

The official data available with The News mentions that the private sector has emerged the biggest defaulter of Pepco which owes it Rs589.01 billion, followed by AJK government with Rs88.87 billion outstanding, four provincial government and their attached departments with Rs37.95 billion, K Electric Rs64.18 billion and federal government and its attached department Rs8.30 billion.

The details shows that in the head of private sector, Fata domestic consumers also owe Rs24.34 billion to Pepco and agriculture tube wells in Baluchistan needs to pay the huge amount of Rs206 billion.

“If DISCOS manage to tame running defaulters who owe to pay mammoth amount of over Rs300b, the power sector cash flow situation can improve to a larger extent,” said experts. An official said unscrupulous elements in the DISCOS facilitate the running defaulters who happened to be the part of the industrial, commercial sectors.

The DISCOS’ top managements, the official said, have the choice to first disconnect the electricity supply and then link it with recovery of the arrears. More importantly DISCOS can also utilize another option of the Land Revenue through which, they can ask for the auction of the factories and commercial houses which are already disconnected, to get back the arrears.