The development and promotion of Small Power Producers (SPPs) would be emphasised by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) at a meeting to be held here on Saturday (May 22).
The meeting has been arranged by the Irrigation & Power Department, Government of Sindh, to discuss annual/periodical inspections of industrial, commercial premises and multi-storied buildings in private sector/activation of power generation policy and activation of quasi-judicial role of electrical inspectors.
Engr. M.A.Jabbar, vice-president, FPCCI and In charge WTO Resource Centre, who will represent the private sector in the meeting, told Business Recorder here, to alleviate the agony and pain, thrust by the KESC and Wapda on the people, it is necessary that all out efforts be made to promote SPPs in Sindh.
Referring to the power generation policy 2002, he said the federal government has entrusted provinces to deal with all matters in respect of power generation up to 50MW, including agreements, licences and other allied matters. The Department of Irrigation and Power should strengthen the institute within I & P to deal with the matters to help increasing the generation base for industrialisation in the province.
The development of SPPs will help in industrialisation in the province. Similarly, he said that the policy adopted by the Punjab government in respect of inspections be agreed for circulation amongst chambers of commerce and industry, associations of trade and industry, town associations and all other associations representing private sector in Sindh through the FPCCI.
He emphasised the quasi-judicial role of electrical inspectors in Sindh, two courts in Karachi and one each at Hyderabad and Sukkur. Later, assistant electrical inspectors should also be deputed at district levels for initiating the judicial proceedings in matters related with the problems of consumers at the hands of utilities here in Karachi and Wapda. This will help in handling in judicious manner as per rules of the business the rising disputes between consumers and utilities.
On the other items of agenda, Engr. Jabbar said that notices/challans in respect of inspection fee and electricity duties be sent to the respective associations to avoid physical contacts/harassment, while ensuring revenue collection, which should be the object of the government. Electrical inspection of all the public sector premises and distribution and generation of KESC and Wapda should be carried out by the electrical inspectors to ensure public safety and non-interrupted power supply.
The FPCCI vice-president said that KESC and Wapda have assumed the role of prosecution and adjudication. "They claim the theft and they themselves decide the penalty." "The KESC is also taking its own decisions, which after promulgation of Nepra Act, need to be decided by regulator after conducting public hearings," he said, adding, "the example is taking out of meters from the premises of industries and commercial enterprises by asking them to pay for such transfer." This has not been approved by Nepra and no public hearing for the decision has been made, he said.
STRANGE MOVE: KESC's move in this regard is very strange in the sense that while taking out meters the reasons given are that Corporation has no trust in the consumers and by shifting the meters, KESC expects to increase revenues. The Corporation has also claimed that it has generated more revenues by taking out meters. "It is strange that the cost of shifting is being claimed from industrial consumers by hypothetically assuming all consumers to be thieves," he said.
"The safe custody of the meters remains no more the responsibility of the consumers when it is installed on the property, which belongs to the city government and not to the customer or consumer," he said, adding, "the KESC insists for sharing the responsibility of the safe custody of the meters from consumers."
"This is against the provisions of electricity act by which consumers have no responsibility once the custody of the meter is outside their legitimate ownership premises."
He highlighted shortage by KESC resulting in non-stability of power supply, low voltage, power riots, inadequate grid capacity, fossil and under size distribution system, improper safety during electrical faults for safe operation of the system, low voltage damaging the equipment and no compensation against overcharging due to low voltage supply.
He said that due to no linkage of Hubco with Wapda, short supply of KESC system from Wapda and due to increased requirements of Wapda, Karachi will see load shedding and other problems, including no supply for new industrial demands or new growing demands. "In this situation, the city in these days is experiencing power riots, which have become daily routine to keep the law and order agencies engaged to keep the tempers down in this hot and humid weather," he said.
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