Cases referred to NAB: electricity receivables stand at Rs 247 billion, PAC told

Secretary Ministry of Water and Power, Mohammad Younus Dagha Thursday informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the ministry has referred cases of electricity defaulters to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further probe and recovery of Rs of 246,900 million. Syed Naveed Qamar chaired the meeting which examined the audit reports of Ministry of Water and Power for the year 2013-14.
Audit officials informed the committee that Rs 246,900 million were recoverable from the defaulters in both the government and private sector. Officials of Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) said that the power theft cases in their areas were increasing and Sindh police was not registering cases against the accused. Secretary Water and Power also endorsed their statements and said such problems were coming in HESCO and SEPCO. Secretary said that ministry has reshuffled the Board of Directors (BoDs) of both companies and appointed Chief Commissioners of Sukkur and Hyderabad as member, adding, by including administrator in BoDs, theft activities could be decreased.
HESCO chief informed the committee that Hyderabad Police was directed not to cooperate with them for registration of FIRs against the culprits. Regarding recovery of Rs 246,900 million receivables, secretary said that the decision was taken in a meeting with Chairman and Deputy Chairman NAB. The NAB will submit its report with regard to the recovery within one year, he added.
He said that PEPCO was facing financial difficulties in discharging its obligations towards Power Sector Companies (PSCs) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Seven power distribution companies including FESCO, HESCO, LESCO, PESCO, QESCO, SEPCO and TESCO could not recover the said amount, he added. Secretary informed the PAC that the ministry had directed all the distribution companies and also asked the NAB to help them for ensuring recovery as soon as possible.
The PAC also took up the audit para regarding loss due to non-recovery from consumers of 'Kunda' connections worth Rs 595 million. Secretary Younus Dagha claimed that the ministry initiated action against 55 officers who facilitated the culprits in electricity theft.