The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) should pass on benefit of completion of Ghazi Barotha Power Project and the usage of gas for generation of electricity to its consumers.
This was demanded by LCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar during a meeting with new Lesco chief Zahid Bashir here on Monday, says a spokesman for the Chamber.
Anjum said that gas is cheaper than furnace oil and electricity-generating units are using 54 percent gas, while Ghazi Barotha is also producing cheaper electricity. This relief should be passed on to industrial consumers so as Pakistani products could maintain their competitive edge in the international market in post WTO regime, he added.
Zahid Bashir said Wapda was trying to make off-peak tariff more effective under which reduction in per unit rate and MDI charges are being considered so as to benefit big industrial consumers, adding the Authority was taking many steps to reduce line losses and power pilferage, and installation of pre-paid meters would also start soon.
The LCCI chief also demanded that per unit rate for commercial-users should also be reduced to Rs 6 per unit from Rs 10.
LCCI Executive Committee member Irfan Iqbal offered to bear 50 percent expenditures for underground laying of electricity cables in Liberty Area, which was appreciated by the Lesco chief.