Nepra chief under fire for skipping senate body meeting on electricity bills

The Senate Standing Committee on Power has recommended the removal of incompetent officers from the power sector saying the burden of corruption and incompetence cannot be borne anymore, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The committee members expressed resentment over the absence of the National Electricity Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) chairman in the meeting on the inflated electricity bills.

The committee chairman, Saifullah Abru, questioned why the Nepra chairman skipped the meeting on a big issue. The committee members recommended keeping the bill issue on the top of the agenda.

The Karachi Electric company official told the meeting that after the increase in electricity bills, there are attacks on K-Electric installations and meetings are being held on safety and security of KE infrastructure.

At present, the people are protesting against the increase in electricity bills, The members of the committee told the meeting adding the power division has taken no action in this regard and did not disclose the list of the persons involved in pilfering power.

The committee members said that the country is heading towards civil disobedience while NEPRA and Power Division are showing irresponsibility.

However, KE authorities briefing the committee said that a subsidy of Rs976 billion has been allocated for the power sector while a subsidy of Rs158 billion has been earmarked for distribution companies, Rs169 billion has been earmarked for KE, Rs82 billion included in the interest of the Power Holding Company.

The authorities further briefed that an additional subsidy of Rs126 billion is also included for KE.

The committee members said that the condition of the public has worsened due to additional bills and power sector officials do not have the details of charges and billing and the power sector should take emergency measures now in this regard.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani