Taking cognisance of excessive load-shedding and suffering of the people, Chairman NAB summoned representatives of ministries of Water and Power, Finance, Petroleum, FBR, NEPRA, Planning Commission, SSGCL and SNGPL during which numerous issues came to light, says a press release issued here on Wednesday.
Despite clear instructions by the interim government that the priority of supply of gas would start with the general public, followed by efficient power producing companies and lastly "Captive power generators," govt instructions in this regards are being flouted and violated. Captive power generators units are provided gas at subsidised rates so that they can provide electricity to industries. However, some of the captive power generators are still being provided gas at subsidised rates, but are selling electricity back to the govt at full rates, this is an instance of corruption, which is not possible without connivance of government functionaries.
Another related issue that came to light is the fact that govt instructions clearly stated that priority of provision of subsidised gas to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) would go to those which are efficient power producers having more than 50 percent efficiency. Again, in violation of these instructions, subsidised gas is still being provided to inefficient IPPs.
Representative of NEPRA also pointed that, while NEPRA is responsible for fixing the tariff rates, ministries issue the notification of tariffs, which is frequently delayed, resulting in losses to the IPPs as well as to the public at large. In addition, representative of NEPRA held the view that, in some instances, line losses and loss due to theft of electricity ranged between 50 to 80 percent of the power being produced. NEPRA will provide details of these instances to NAB shortly.
In addition, in order to favour large land holders, electricity is being provided for tube wells at the flat rate of Rs 8 per unit, resulting in enormous loss to the exchequer and to the suffering of the general public, which is criminal, revealing that no single organ of the state was responsible for the mess that has been created in the power sector; nor is there any integrated energy management policy.
In view of this appalling state of affairs, Chairman NAB has issued the following instructions:
a) Government orders/instructions must be followed strictly in letter and spirit.
b) Gas will be provided in accordance with laid down priorities with the highest priority going to the public at large followed by efficient power producers.
c) An inquiry will be conducted by NAB to decide whether the decision to provide electricity to tube wells at a flat rate had a criminal aspect or not.
d) The final date of clearing overdue electricity bills is April 19. All defaulters, including govt organisations must clear their dues or face criminal proceedings.
e) Chairman NAB held the view that re-appropriation of amount by ministries/organisations was unnecessary for clearance of electricity dues and instructed all govt organisations to clear their dues forthwith.
f) Regulators were instructed to ensure that they perform their assigned role in accordance with the law; failing which NAB will proceed against individuals and/ or organisations.
g) Henceforth NAB will monitor the function of the entire power sector, including SSGCL and SNGPL, to ensure relief of provision of gas to the public at large, as well as maximum efficient power generation, also intended to bring relief to the public at large.
This is the final warning to all individual, government institutions, government functionaries and, if not heeded, criminal proceedings will be initiated by NAB against all violators. Meantime, NAB will look into the role of regulators and government functionaries to decide whether to initiate criminal proceedings against them.-PR
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