Recent hike in power tariff additional burden on those paying bills honestly: CJP
- October 1, 2013, 6:56 pm
- National News
- 197 Views
ISLAMABAD, Oct 1 (Online): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked the recent hike in power tariff is additional burden on those paying electricity bills honestly.
CJP remarked “ prices are declining at international level and on the other side the prices are being scaled up in our country. People will do what except dying in this situation.
He gave these remarks while presiding over a 3-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of suo motu notice on load shedding crisis case here Tuesday.
He observed the recent raise in the tariff is additional burden on those paying bills honestly. This increase should not have been made. Government has no authority to issue notification on hike in power tariff this way. Under what authority government has jacked up the tariff. If government can not make recovery of Rs 441 billion then as to why it is increasing power tariff.
He further remarked “ we will issue order on Wednesday in respect of illegal orders of government. Government will have to face the consequences of this illegal act while energy policy is an eyewash only.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked “ law and constitution are in place. “Nadir Shahi system will not be allowed to run. This increase is commission of direct robbery on the pockets of people which can not be allowed in any way. Notification is illegal.
Chairman NEPRA told the court “all DISCOs had requested for slashing the power tariff but the government has increased it .
He further told the court that Azad Kashmir has to pay Rs 24 billion, provinces Rs 74 billion, FATA Rs 20 billion and private sector Rs 28 billion. Overall Rs 441 have not been recovered so far. Several institutions are still defaulters in respect of payment of bills.
CJP remarked “ if this is writ of government. Bills are not being recovered and on the other hand power tariff is being jacked up.
The court directed Deputy Attorney General (DAG) to immediately present the notification on hike in power tariff before it.
He told the court that secretary water and power is in the meeting, therefore, notification can not be submitted.
The court expressed annoyance over it and ordered for filing the notification.
CJP remarked government is not authorized to issue notification on recent hike in power tariff. If notification is proved wrong then court will issue its interim order.
The DAG later presented notification in the court which was issued by NEPRA on September, 30.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked “ this is not notification of the government. NEPRA is not government. Therefore, notification issued by the government be presented in the court.
The court has sought reply from the federal government within 24 hours besides summoning notification issued by the government.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till today, Wednesday.
