LAHORE:
PML-Q president Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain proposed on Monday that provincial government forgo their share of the divisible pool for three months to enable the federal government to pay the independent power producers so that loadshedding could be brought down to a tolerable level.
While speaking with reporters, Hussain said the installed power generation capacity in the country was 23,000 megawatt out of which only 15,000MW was being generated daily. He said the remaining power plants were either closed or were producing less than what they were capable of.
Hussain said that under the NFC Award, the provinces would be paid Rs50 billion over the remaining three months of the current financial year. He said if the Centre kept uses the amount for the remaining three months to pay power producers then load shedding would be eliminated in cities and its duration considerably reduced in rural areas. He said if provincial governments cooperate with the federal government then the issue could easily be solved.
Hussain said the success of the formula depended on the chief ministers. If they agreed, he said, mills would start operating again, unemployment would be reduced, protesting workers would return to work and the national economy would start growing.
Hussain also recommended a full-fledged campaign against power thefts so that honest consumers should not have to pay for it. He added that this would go a long way in improving the national economy.
Later on Hussain clarified that the provinces did not necessarily need to forgo their share, rather they could give the federal government a loan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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Why should Sindh bear the burden in the name patriotism. Fact sheet is as under. According to Census of electricity undertaking conducted by FBS: Installed capacity of Punjab was of only 2.1 MW whereas Sindh had 213 MW, NWFP and Balochistan installed capacity share was 183 MW and 5 MW respectively. Average electricity generation in Sindh province was highest among other three provinces. In Punjab it was 269 min KWh which was 76 per cent less than Sindh where average generation was 1,154 min KWh against Punjab had 269 min KWh. Even generation in NWFP comparatively with Punjab was better by 72 per cent where its average was 962 min KWh. Balochistan has on average generated only 6 min KWh during last 10 years. Average energy consumption level in Punjab was 136 per cent higher than in Sindh where it was 439 rain KWh against 1,036 min KWh of Punjab. In NWFP average consumption was 213 min KWh and Balochistan had only 77 min KWh. Sindh has own natural gas, petrol resources and generates enough electricity for their people.
I believe this is first time ever Ch.Shujat has come up with a wonderful solution, which is very workable. Lets hope this is not politicized and all the CM's accept this solution.
@Ali:
but its actually not a bad idea. if loadshedding can be reduced to manageable levels.
another mr 10%