LAHORE - The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday appealed to Prime Minister to disband National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for its failure to protect interests of consumers under clause 31 of Nepra Act.
The LCCI President Irfan Qaiser Sheikh took a strong exception to Nepra move to increase electricity tariff by massive 83 per cent (Rs 6.50 per unit) for the billing of April, the single largest raise in the country’s history, under monthly fuel adjustment mechanism. He said that the unprecedented increase would break Nepra’s own record of Rs 3.03 per unit increase allowed a few days ago to be recovered in the billing of month of March. The LCCI President said that the combined affect of the two increases will be about 123 per cent that would translate into an additional burden of Rs 9.53 per unit on all consumers.
Irfan said that price of electricity for consumers using 301-700 units per month is Rs 10.65 per unit and for those utilising more than 700 units per month it is Rs 13.29. It means, he said, these two increases would double the prices of electricity.
The LCCI President opined that the Nepra move is bound to increase incidence of electricity pilferage that already is 25 per cent of the 22 per cent line losses and eating up Rs 50-75 billion.
LCCI president observed that Nepra officials pose that they regularly conduct public hearing but in fact Nepra holds public hearings at five star hotels and advertise announcement in English press only, which snatch the right of expression from a major chunk of population. He suggested that Nepra should advertise public hearing on national electronic media and hold these meetings at public places to get the real feedback of masses.
He said that how the industry would remain competitive at such a high price of electricity which is one of the basic industrial raw materials. We already have the highest tariff in our region as in India, the electricity tariff for industry is 10.5 cents, in Bangladesh 10.75 cents and in Sri Lanka it is again 10.75 cent whereas in Pakistan tariff is already 15 cents meaning that 45 percent higher as compared to the region.