ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided to dispatch a four-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the reasons behind current power crisis in Karachi and claims of K Electric with respect to investment. Though Nepra has claimed that it is sending the fact-finding team on its own, insiders claim this action has been taken on the instructions of the federal government which is being severely criticised for not resolving the power crisis.
The current heatwaves claimed hundreds of lives in Karachi due to which the provincial government is also facing the peoples' ire. According to NPERA spokesperson, NEPRA as a regulator, monitors performance and standards of all DISCOs, including K Electric on a regular basis. In a very recent case NEPRA succeeded in implementing its decision whereby the consumers of K Electric would get benefit of around Rs 5.5 billion for 2012-13 and around Rs 5.5 billion for 2013-14. It clearly indicates our strong commitment and resolve to safeguard and protect the rights and interests of all consumers including KE, Nepra spokesman added.
All generation, transmission and distribution data is collected and analysed by NEPRA on a regular basis. In case of KE the Authority has already taken cognisance of different issues including underutilization and undue load shedding and issued show cause notices accordingly. The proceedings are pending before Sindh High Court and are being strongly defended by NEPRA.
The spokesperson further stated that recently through different sources including media it has been reported that KE has not performed in accordance with the prescribed standards. The fact-finding committee which is mandated to proceed to Karachi immediately in order to ascertain the causes pertaining to the recent power shortfall and consumer grievances and to verify the investment, development and generation data and claims of KE. The committee consists of Masood Ahmad Khan consultant, Javed Pervaiz consultant, Hussain Zaigham Alvi senior advisor technical and Mazhar Ranjha director standards.