The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that water and power ministry will issue an advisory to National Electric power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to evolve a transparent mechanism to address the overbilling complaints against Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
In a response to a question raised by a ruling party MNA Sheikh Rohale Asghar on the menace of the overbilling, Mohammad Younus Dagha, the secretary water and power told a sub-committee of the PAC that the ministry is going to evolve an advisory to evolve a transparent mechanism.
Asghar, a member of the committee, pointed out that Wapda staff took away faulty electric meters and posted hefty bills to poor consumers. Currently, there was no mechanism to check either correct data was obtained from the faulty meters, he said, adding a third party verification of billing of faulty meters should also be conducted. Secretary Water and Power informed the committee that the ministry is planning to install smart meters all over the country. He said that Planning Division has given approval to the project, adding, the consumers could contact for grievances to NAPRA and Federal Ombudsman.
The panel headed by Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang, examined the accounts of the ministry for 2007-08. He recommended that Exin Wapa should be given additional powers to make correction in the electricity bill. The committee also directed the ministry to hold a probe into purchase of Rs 33.537 million worth luxury vehicles for a water project during 2007-08.
The committee was informed that WAPDA purchased 11 vehicles above the market price for a water project in 2007. These vehicles include Toyota double cabin and Pajaro Jeep. In addition, the scope of these vehicles was not in bill of quantity (BoQ). Neither, the revised PC was approved from the competent authority. Sheikh Asghar pointed out that the prices of the vehicles were Rs 11 million higher than the market price at that time. He further said the matter should be probed at ministerial level and responsibility should be fixed.
Zafar Mehmood, chairman Wapda, agreed that some of the vehicles were not mentioned in the BoQ. , adding that he would personally take up the matter and a report would be submitted to the committee within 15 days. While examining the audit accounts of the finance ministry, the committee learnt that Rs 37.544 million liabilities of Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP) may be converted into equity as it is already in liquidation process.
Audit report stated that as on June 30, 2007, total liabilities of IDBP stood at Rs 37.5 billion against assets of Rs 9.42 billion resulting in negative net worth of Rs 28.120 billion. The accumulated losses of Rs 28.9 billion had eroded share capital and reserve fund of the organisation. The committee directed the ministry to revisit the restructuring plan of the bank and report on the measures taken for the revival of financial health of the bank within six months. The committee further directed to settle the pre-partition frozen loans of National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited (UBL), Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and ADBP.