ISLAMABAD: In a bid to befool the poor masses, the government threw another electricity bomb on power consumers by imposing another equalisation surcharge at an average rate of Rs1.5 per unit to appease IMF, it was learnt.
The new surcharge will be imposed on consumers of all electricity distribution companies, except K-Electric, with retrospective effect from October 1 that would remain in force until December 31, 2015. The ministry of water and power issued a notification in this regard on Saturday night, but it was not made public. The government is currently holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Dubai for revival of $6.78 billion bailout package suspended in August, which on successful completion would disburse $1.1bn to Islamabad. Withdrawal of power subsidies is one of the key themes of the IMF package.
A senior government official told that the decision would yield an additional cumulative revenue of about Rs27 billion to nine distribution companies (Discos) of Wapda. Exactly a month ago, the government had imposed a 30 paisa per unit surcharge on electricity consumers with effect from October 3. This was followed within a couple of weeks by a 52 paisa per unit increase approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on account of fuel charges.
Under the Nepra law, the government should have reduced consumer tariff by Rs1.5 per unit in April this year but it has been delaying passing on the benefit to consumers. The government can appeal against a Nepra judgment within 15 days of issuance of a notification. On petitions from consumers, the Lahore High Court had held the delay illegal and ordered tariff reduction a few months ago. The government instead withdrew subsidy.
