Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is vigorously advocating for the withdrawal of the recent gas tariff hike, asserting its detrimental impact on the economy at large.
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Pakistan Cabinet Greenlights Substantial Gas Price Surge
Islamabad, February 15, 2024 – In response to the ongoing economic crisis, the federal cabinet of Pakistan has approved a significant increase in gas prices, effective from February 1, 2024.
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Power theft cases: 20,712 FIRs lodged; 1,909 arrested
ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) has been informed that around 20,712 FIRs were registered and 1909 arrests were made in electricity theft cases.
Finance Minister Asad Umar chaired the meeting of CCoE on Wednesday.
The Power Division gave the meeting performance update on efficiency improvement and control of theft.
Regarding control of theft, CCoE was apprised that during the period from October 13, 2018 to February 22, 2019 as many as 20,712 FIRs were registered and 1909 arrests were made.
Detection bills charged amounted to Rs. 1,278.305 million while the amount of detection recovered was Rs 537.120 million.
The CCoE appreciated the Power Division’s effective drive for recoveries and theft control. The meeting also noted the progress shared by the Power Division on proposed plan/measures to bring down power sector losses.
The meeting was informed that total collection from November 2017 to January 2018 stood at Rs 203,953 million which rose to Rs. 243,642 million in the same period in FY 2018-19, showing net increase of Rs 39,689 million.
Improved recovery from consumers and decrease in losses significantly contributed to the enhanced collection, the meeting was informed.
The committee approved proposals from Power Division providing for all future Renewable Energy investments to be treated in line with the RE Policy 2019 that envisages a framework consistent with the current international market norms and greater consumer benefits.
The Power Division informed that draft RE Policy 2019 was currently in circulation for comments by stakeholders and would be presented to the CCoE as soon as such comments were finalized.
All those projects which have been granted LoS by AEDB, shall be permitted to proceed towards the achievement of their requisite milestones as per the RE Policy 2006.
However in those cases where more than a year has elapsed since determination of tariff by NEPRA, their tariff would have to be reviewed by NEPRA as per policy.
Petroleum Division apprised the CCoE about findings of the committee probing into the matter of inflated gas bills. It was also informed that report of audit being conducted in this matter will also be shared with the CCoE.
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Cabinet decides independent audit to check inflated gas bills
ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on Wednesday decided to conduct an independent audit to check inflated bills of gas.
Finance Minister Asad Umar chaired meeting of the CCoE.
The meeting was especially called on the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the matter of inflated gas billings to the consumers.
The committee decided to conduct an independent audit of the billing for December 2018 through external auditors in addition to the inquiry regarding excessive billing already conducted by the Petroleum Division.
The reports of both the inquiry and the independent audit would be submitted to CCoE.
Prior to that Secretary Petroleum Division gave a detailed presentation to the Committee on the recent billing exercise of the gas sector.
Chairman OGRA and MD SNGPL also gave their input in this regard.
The meeting was informed that the consumers are billed according to the slabs in which they fall, in accordance with their consumption.
The Secretary Petroleum Division said that following the complaints of a large number of consumers an inquiry has already been launched to look into the matter.
The inquiry would look at the issue comprehensively from all the different angles.
The Secretary also briefed the Committee that there has been an overall increase of 8% in the consumption pattern of the consumers falling in the lowest consumption slab.
He also said that out of the total 6400,000 gas consumers only 92,000 that fall in the 6th and 7th (highest consumption slabs), have been affected by high gas bills.
It was also pointed out by chairman OGRA that during the month of December the domestic consumption of gas doubles which has changed the pricing slabs for many consumers.
However, she also suggested that the data for the last two months may be looked into to find any anomaly.
The meeting also discussed the issue of Gas theft, action taken against illegal practices and the determination of the unaccounted for Gas (UFG) loss benchmark and directed M/o Energy to address the issue.
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