ISLAMABAD – The federal government has approved a hike in the power prices by Rs1.27 rupees per unit, claiming that 95 percent of the consumers would not be affected by the policy.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside cabinet fellows, Finance Minister Asad Umar explained that hike in power tariff was taken on the recommendation of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).
‘The power tariff and any hikes in it are decided by Nepra. This time, Nepra, after conducting its review, recommended that the power tariff should be increased by Rs3.82,’ Umar elaborated.
The minister clarified that this government had nothing to do with even a penny of this hike and the government had given a green signal to almost one-third of what was recommended.
This determination of the price hike was completed in August, Umar affirmed and added that the hike in power tariff will not affect those who consume less than 300 units of electricity per month.
‘Seventy per cent of the household connections fall in this category and so they will not have to pay a penny more,” he said.
The lawmaker continued that 20 per cent people whose consumption is between 300 and 700 units, will have to pay 10 per cent more.
Asad Umar explained that consumers of 700 plus units, will have to pay 15 per cent more than what they are paying.
Federal Ministers for Power Umar Ayub, while addressing the presser, told that a drive against power theft would start from Friday.
‘Special meters would be installed with transformers to detect power theft,’ said Ayub.
He explained that the previous regimes had not done enough regarding the transmission lines adding that the power theft was contributing a loss of Rs 250 billion, born by the public.
