President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Mian Muhammad Adrees has urged National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for early hearing of the petition filed by Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA) for cut in power tariff so that the frustration, confusion and uncertainty among the consumers can be removed and masses could get some relief in power tariff.
He said that due to reduction in oil prices in the international market the government had enough fiscal space for the relief of Rs 20 billion to the masses on account of power tariff. Adrees expressed concerns over ignoring the government policy by Nepra by delaying in passing on the complete relief to the consumers of electricity distribution companies.
In a letter to Chairman Nepra, he said that that the business community was disappointed by the postponement of scheduled hearing of Nepra that was to decide on a cut of Rs 3.20 per unit in power tariff due to reduction in oil prices. This will ultimately reduce the cost of industrial production and make our goods competitive which will boost our exports. It will also lead to increase in investment and employment, he added.
He said that the Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar time and again had announced to pass on the benefit of reduction in oil prices to the masses in general and trade and industry in particular through reduction in prices of essential items of daily consumption including power tariff.
They have also issued necessary directions to the concerned authorities for this purpose. Mian Adrees further said that it is surprising that on the pressure of some agencies like Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Water and Power, Nepra has postponed the hearing indefinitely which shows denying/delaying in passing on the complete relief to the consumers of electricity which is against the government's policy.