Power Deafaulters Owe Rs 365 Bln To DISCOs,PAC Told

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th August, 2016) : Secretary Water and Power Younas Dhaga Thursday informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that power defaulters owe Rs 365 billion to the all Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

The meeting of the PAC committee held under the Chairmanship of Syed Khursheed Shah examined the audit paras of Ministry of Water and Power and National Health Services and Regulations for the fiscal year of 2012-13- and 2013-14 respectively. During the meeting, Secretary said that most numbers of over billing complaints are against Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). Complaints against meter images and its genuine reading have also been received, he added.

Shafqat Mehmood Committee Member also raised the issue of over billing in the meeting. Junaid Anwaar MNA, and other Members alleged that power theft was not possible without involving the officials of the concerned departments.

Secretary Water and Power admitted that Power pilfrige was not possible without departments officials involvement. PAC put off the matter of power pilfrige and over billing to next meeting.

Secretary Younas Dhaga further told the committee that Nandipur Power Project would be converted to LPG by the end of year as oil fueling was damaging the plant.

He said power generation through furnace oil costs around rupees 7 per unit.

The plant is producing 300 Megawatts while its total capacity is 425 Megawatts. During the meeting,Chairman PAC Syed Khursheed Shah also sought report on the recruitment made for Management Positions (MP) - MP-1 MP-2 and MP-3.

Chairman PAC khursheed Shah expressed his displeasure and said they could not keep mum over the embezzlements of billions of rupees in the appointments and contracts without issuing tender and advertisement. He said the scandal of Grand Hyatt Hotel in Islamabad was sufficient to awake everyone.

Discussing the audit paras about ministry of health services and regulations,Chairman PAC also expressed annoyance over winding up the inquiry regarding National Council of Homeopathy by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Syed Khursheed Shah also asked the PAC Secretariat to write letter to interior ministry on the issue. The council of Homeopathy had illegally purchased a building worth Rs 50.6 million.