Aptma expresses reservations on increase in power tariff

Chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Mohsin Aziz has expressed his reservations on increase in the electricity charges announced by the Government. In a statement, he said that there was no doubt about the crisis of circular debt faced by the government that is creating problems for adequate generation of electricity.
However, he continued, passing on such a huge increase of 36 percent in electricity charges to the consumer is not a permanent solution to this perennial problem. In particular, he insisted, such an increase would result in negative growth of industry, which would ultimately lead to missive unemployment in the country. Such increase would, he said, hit hard the textile industry, which is the prime industry of the country and major consumer of power.
He said that no one has any sympathy with the defaulters in payment of the electricity bills and that the line losses is a matter of grave concern; but, for these sins of others, the law-abiding and regular payers of the electricity bills should not be penalised. He said it is advisable to adopt a policy of carrot and stick by the government, making it conducive for the industry to run uninterruptedly and at the same time the defaulters, areas and sectors involved in malpractices be taken to task.
Mohsin Aziz also emphasised the need for review of the policies regarding IPPs and RPPs and to put such policies on rational and workable bases. He said that the energy crisis in the country is to be dealt with on war-footing for the benefit of the consumers and, in particular, for the survival of industry in the country.
About the additional holiday, Mohsin Aziz said that it is to save the consumption of electricity; the benefit of such saving of consumption should pass on to the industry. He said it is a test case for the government to ensure that the offices work full time from 8 to 4 in letter and sprit as notified.
He said that it is imperative that the banks and ports remained working so as not to create difficulties for export and imports. Mohsin Aziz concluded by emphasising that burdening the industry with so many difficulties at a time when there is a great need for industrial growth in the country and to meet the economic challenges is not advisable.