News
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Karachi traders vow to flaunt power non-conservation
* CDGK teams to conduct raids
* Traders to be fined or imprisonedBy Irfan Aligi
KARACHI: Special teams of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) officials have been formed to ensure that shops and markets in the city were closed by 8pm everyday in compliance with the national power conservation policy.
CDGK administrator Fazlur Rehman has ordered the formation of teams consisting of deputy district officers (DDO) revenue with special magisterial powers along with officers from the Works and Services Department and Local Taxes Department to carry out raids for the strict implementation of the policy.
On the first day of the campaign, the DDOs informed the traders to adhere to the government’s energy conservation policy strictly or they would be liable to legal action by imposition of fine or imprisonment or both.
On the other hand, traders have vowed to resist any such campaign.
Supreme Council of Traders President Imran Baghpatti while talking to Daily Times said the government’s decision to close shops and markets at 8pm was tantamount to curtail trade activities in the city and would affect the entire country.
He said the traders would not afford losing their workforce on the pretext of the government’s power conservation policy as thousands of daily wage workers would lose their jobs, which in turn would fuel frustration and lead to street agitation.
He further said it was the legal responsibility of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) to ensure uninterrupted supply of the required power to citizens and business centres, whereas, it has failed to fulfil its legal obligation.
He alleged the government was giving cover to the KESC’s private management on various aspects including rampant increases in power tariff, adding the traders would remain united against the move and would not obey such orders irrespective of consequences.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk