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Friday, February 10, 2012
CCI okays steps to overcome energy crisisISLAMABAD: The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Thursday approved, in principle, the policy of Petroleum Exploration and Production 2012 and hoped that its implementation would help overcome the energy shortage in the country. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani chaired the 8th meeting of the CCI after 18th Amendment, which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti and others. The meeting considered six issues and approved last year’s Annual Report, which is to be laid before parliament as a constitutional requirement. The CCI approved amendment in its earlier decision for charging 30 paisa per Million Acre Feet (MAF) of water and 0.5 paisas for each unit of electricity produced from hydel and nuclear sources. The CCI also approved National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2012. Following a presentation by the Sindh chief minister, the prime minister directed the Planning Division and Economic Affairs Division to provide full support in arranging funds for Thar Coal Project on priority basis. On the request of the Punjab and Sindh chief ministers, the prime minister directed concerned departments to give sugar mills incentives to generate up to 2,000 megawatts annually using bagasse. Prime Minister Gilani directed Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh to convene an energy conference aimed at sorting out any issues being faced at present. The prime minister also called for a meeting of provincial governments’ representatives early next week to address some concerns raised by provinces, and to work out the financial outlay as a consequence of the 18th Amendment. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk