Per the rules: NEPRA follows govt lead, issues power tariff hike notification
The increase in power tariffs is effective from October 1.
The increased power tariffs are effective from October 1. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Khwaja Muhammad Naeem proposed an increase in power tariffs which the Supreme Court had earlier asked the government to retract, Express News reported on Friday.
According to the notification, tariffs will be increased for domestic consumers by nearly 30%, and will be calculated backdated from October 1.
The new tariffs mentioned in NEPRA's notification were similar to the price increase announced by the government in late September. The Supreme Court had, however, ordered to cancel the increase since the raise did not follow the prescribed regulations.
Supreme Court had had questioned Water and Power Minister Khwaja Asif on the government's decision to increase power tariffs stating that it was a decision which should be taken by NEPRA.
“It is not your job to determine whether the tariff is high or low, you should only tell us if it is your jurisdiction or not,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had said.
“In the presence of Nepra, the government cannot issue a notification to determine power tariffs,” the apex court had noted.
The government then complied with the Supreme Court's order to retract the tariff but then had proposed the increase to NEPRA which subsequently issued the notification asking for the tariff increase on Friday.
As per the increase in tariffs, even if no electricity units are consumed, a minimum charge of Rs75 will be levied.
Ministry of Water and Power then issued a notification confirming the tariff increase.
Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Khwaja Muhammad Naeem proposed an increase in power tariffs which the Supreme Court had earlier asked the government to retract, Express News reported on Friday.
According to the notification, tariffs will be increased for domestic consumers by nearly 30%, and will be calculated backdated from October 1.
The new tariffs mentioned in NEPRA's notification were similar to the price increase announced by the government in late September. The Supreme Court had, however, ordered to cancel the increase since the raise did not follow the prescribed regulations.
Supreme Court had had questioned Water and Power Minister Khwaja Asif on the government's decision to increase power tariffs stating that it was a decision which should be taken by NEPRA.
“It is not your job to determine whether the tariff is high or low, you should only tell us if it is your jurisdiction or not,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had said.
“In the presence of Nepra, the government cannot issue a notification to determine power tariffs,” the apex court had noted.
The government then complied with the Supreme Court's order to retract the tariff but then had proposed the increase to NEPRA which subsequently issued the notification asking for the tariff increase on Friday.
As per the increase in tariffs, even if no electricity units are consumed, a minimum charge of Rs75 will be levied.
Ministry of Water and Power then issued a notification confirming the tariff increase.