Federal Minister for Power Division, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said Tuesday that heads will roll next month due to dismal performance of some distribution companies (Discos). Leghari was addressing a press conference on the occasion of launching of a mobile application "Roshan Pakistan" to give access to consumers about vital information on billing and power supply situation.
When asked about measures taken to recover power sector receivables, which have touched Rs 800 billion figure by September 30, 2017 of which Rs 600 billion are against the private sector, he replied that recovery of receivables is one of the key performance indicators (KPIs) set by the government. "We are reviewing the performance of Discos and heads will roll in January," he added.
In reply to another question, he said that it is for the first time that power sector information is being shared with the people of Pakistan. He said this would also help counter propaganda by vested interests about quantum and instance of load-shedding in different areas of the country.
The minister said any consumer can get update through this application about billing, net metering and feeder wise information about supply of electricity. It would also serve as bill calculator.
He said the app would provide information about all the ten distribution companies and any consumer can have access to it by entering consumer number. Replying to questions by newspersons, the minister said the Power Division is proud that 4500MW surplus electricity is available in the national grid, adding that by next summer, the power generation will be more than the demand.
Awais Leghari said the problem of over-billing will be resolved after the law on the subject gets passed by the Senate. He said the law provides a punishment of three years imprisonment for over-billing and has already been passed by the National Assembly.
Earlier, highlighting the main features of the mobile app, Secretary Power Division Naseem Khokhar said that the app is bilingual to facilitate consumers in both English and Urdu languages.
On a question, the secretary Power Division said that total 11,000MW electricity will be added in the system when 1410MW Tarbela 4th Extension and 969MW Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric will be completed by June next year.
When asked what action is being taken against black sheep in the power sector, who are helping power thieves, the minister said black sheep also exist among consumers and they are not confined to power sector. He said presently 5,297 feeders are load-shedding free. An official told journalists that excess has not been given to information about 60-70 feeders through Roshan Pakistan the app because they exist in sensitive areas.
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