Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) rejected the proposal of Planning Commission for increase in power tariff up to 14 per cent, termed it totally unworkable idea under the present economic conditions of the country. This was stated by the SCCI acting president, Malik Iftikhar Ahmad Awan in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
The SCCI acting chief asked the planning commission to take proposals for increasing electricity production to meet the growing energy demand, instead of floating ideas, which were not viable under prevailing circumstances. Awan said that electricity was being produced through fuel and other expensive resources in the country. But, he added the water reservoirs were not properly utilized for this purpose, which was causing colossal losses to national economy.
The business community, he said, also ultimate sufferer amid impeding energy crisis. SCCI acting president said industries are hitting hard due to growing shortages of power, while business and economic activities also badly affected in the present situation. He said that the unscheduled load shedding from 10 to 12, slow down industries growth and business in the province.
In the prevailing circumstance, he said the Planning Commission of Pakistan proposal for increasing power tariff up to 14 per cent, not an unviable idea, described it was tantamount to further push already bad economy into darkness. He asked the PCP to focus on increasing electricity production to the growing energy demand, and to pick up industries, business and economic activities, instead of floating unfeasible proposals.