NAB to deal with corruption in power companies

Officers involved in power theft, assisting defaulters to be targeted.

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to tighten the noose around corrupt officers in power distribution companies by referring their cases to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for involvement in power theft and assisting defaulters.

The matter came up for discussion in a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Water and Power here on Thursday, which decided to deal sternly with those officers of power companies who were reluctant to take action against defaulters and were engaged in illegal supply of electricity.

The meeting was chaired by Water and Power Minister Ahmed Mukhtar and attended by Secretary Water and Power Zafar Mahmood, Special Secretary Himayatullah Khan, chief executive officers of all distribution companies and senior officials of the power ministry, National Transmission and Dispatch Company and Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB).

The meeting participants also arrived at the decision that the power distribution feeders, covering areas where recovery of bills was less than 60%, would be outsourced within one month for improvement in collection of bills.

Data for billing and collection for the first two months of the current financial year was also reviewed and various targets were given to the CEOs. They emphasised that correct billing and full collection would ensure maximum power production and ease load-shedding in the country.

According to a statement issued here, no officer of electricity distribution companies will have powers to make installments for payment of bill and power supply will be disconnected forthwith for delay in payment.

The special recovery drive of the companies will remain continue, under which supply to defaulting premises will be cut off and reconnection will only be allowed after full clearance of dues. All field officers and other functionaries of power companies will be accountable for delay in recovery, power theft and line losses. If necessary, officers will be proceeded against under the efficiency and disciplinary rules which can result in imposition of a major penalty.

The government officials also asked the companies to submit a report in the next meeting about action taken against such officers. They will also finalise all enquiries pending against the officers in any matter.

A list of defaulters along with addresses, power supply to whom had previously been disconnected or to be disconnected, will be released to the media and placed on the relevant power company’s website.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2012.