Reviving industrial sector: 129 feeders exempted from load-shedding

Pre-paid meter installation programme being finalised: Mepco chief

MULTAN: In a bid to boost and make reforms in the industrial sector, at least 129 feeders in the district have been exempted from load-shedding.

This was said by Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) Chief Executive Officer Masud Salahuddin while addressing the members of Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday.

He said there would be no or minimum load-shedding in 2018, a year of happiness and prosperity. He said, “We have recommended enhancing the powers of board of directors of MEPCO so that all issues could be resolved locally in an amicable manner”.

The MEPCO chief maintained, “Disputes with agriculture sector have already been resolved and they are making payments of their outstanding bills.” He said work on 300 feeders of11 KV was in progress would be completed during the current fiscal year.

To a question, Masud Salahuddin pointed out that pre-paid meter installation programme was being finalised while installation of AMR meters would begin during the current year.

He said MEPCO officials caught 333,755 power pilferers and imposed a fine of Rs1.9 billion on them during 2016.

He added various teams raided residential and commercial buildings and detected power theft. The teams also recovered Rs644 million from the power pilferers from July 2016 to January 2017.

On the occasion, MEPCO Board of Directors Chairperson Khalid Masud disclosed, “The utility has introduced a new policy for the replacement and repair of transformers under which consumers will have to deposit one third of the cost instead of payment of whole amount in advance.”

He said the transformer would be replaced within 12 hours and it would hold a guarantee of one year.

Meanwhile, MCCI President Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi complained that power load-shedding had increased with the change of weather and MEPCO should take measures provide uninterrupted electricity supply.

He added MEPCO should ensure regular supply of electricity to agriculture as well as SME sector.

He suggested that power generating units be commissioned or upgraded before running them and power tariff must be reduced to provide relief to the consumers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2017.