National Assembly panel asks Wapda to reduce power tariffs

Besides taking serious note of the undeclared loadshedding, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power on Wednesday, directed the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to reduce its electricity tariffs for providing some relief to the people.
A sub-committee has also been formed to investigate, what the opposition alleged, use of 'substandard' material in the construction of Ghazi Barotha Hydro Power project.
The decisions were taken during the standing committee meeting held at the Parliament House with MNA Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari in the chair.
According to details, Wapda came under fire over constant unannounced loadshedding across the country despite several assurances by the government.
Not only the opposition lawmakers blasted the authority, but the ruling members also took strong exception of the difficulties being faced by the people in the summer season. The committee directed Wapda to take all possible measures to immediately stop loadshedding across the country.
On the other hand, the authority members claimed that the power generation was higher than the demand, but its misuse is a biggest challenge.
The committee members decided to hold a special meeting in Lahore on July 1, in which all the four provincial chief engineers will give them detailed briefing regarding government's steps to address loadshedding issue. The committee also asked Wapda to introduce deferential tariff system in all electricity supply companies so that the consumers who pay their bills regularly are not penalised on behalf of the electricity consumers who are involved in electricity theft.
The lawmakers said that it would create a healthy atmosphere of competition among the power supply companies and help in decreasing power theft and line loses. Interior Ministry has been asked to take stern action against those found involved in electricity theft.
The standing committee was also very critical of the over-billing by Wapda and directed to take strict action against those involved in this practice. It was unanimously proposed to introduce prepaid electricity metres to overcome the problem.
Wapda Chairman Tariq Hameed briefed the committee members about Ghazi Barotha Power project. The committee was informed that GBHP is producing 1,450MW electricity.
However, the chairman faced severe criticism from the opposition lawmakers who alleged that substandard material was used in the construction of the project.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, NA Standing Committee Chairman Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari formed a sub-committee, which will visit the place and submit a thorough inquiry report.
MNAs Syed Muhammad Asghar Shah, Muhammad Sanaullah Khan, Deewan Syed Jaffar Hussein Bokhari, Mian Mumtaz Ahmad Matyana, Muhammad Safdar Shaker, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf, Abul Rauf Mengal, Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Ishaq Khan Khakwani, as a special invitee, attended the meeting.