News
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Cabinet approves 5-day working week
Govt moves to contain spiralling power crisis
* WAPDA allowed to cut off connection of defaulters
* Shops to be closed at sunset
* No electricity for billboards after sunset
* Marriage halls to be closed at 10 pm
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet, on Wednesday, approved in principle a five-day working week to conserve energy, besides permitting WAPDA to cut off the connection of consumers who do not pay their bills for over 45 days.
The cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, discussed in detail the conservation and efficiency plan to overcome the energy shortages in the country. Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain told media that the government is planning to take multiple steps, including improving the efficiency of power generation companies by involving private sector, billing and distribution of the power sector in the country.
The cabinet meeting gave the go-ahead to several measures to contain the spiraling power crisis. It decided to introduce two weekly holidays in all the federal government offices, but the prime minister said the plan would be implemented with the approval of provinces at the forum of the Council for Common Interests (CCI). Sources privy to the meeting said that the two off days would not apply to key branches of the country’s main banks to ensure that business activity is not hampered.
The cabinet also decided to issue warnings to big defaulters to clear their electricity dues in 45 days or else prepare to face suspension of their power supplies. However, the warning spares domestic consumers who use less than 100 units of electricity per month. It was decided that the connections of all electricity defaulters including government departments would be cut off without any discrimination. The 45-day deadline to clear outstanding dues will apply to all private and public departments, companies and firms. Other measures that the cabinet approved included closure of marriage halls at 10pm across the country. All shopping centres and markets would be closed down at sunset, and LED lights will replace conventional bulbs used in streetlights and billboards.
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that the government had during the past three years provided Rs 1000 billion in subsidising the power sector. He said the present government has added 3400MW of electricity in the system. The finance minister told the media that the demand for electricity is increasing while its generation and supply was not increased at the same pace thus creating a gap in the demand and supply. He added that currently there is a supply-demand gap of 4500MW, which was causing crippling power outages in the country.
Replying to journalists’ queries, Dr Shaikh said that the Special Cabinet Committee presented its recommendations to the Cabinet about plan to reform the energy sector with scope for involvement of private sector. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk