ISLAMABAD, (Parliament Times) : A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power was held on Monday at Parliament House, Islamabad.
Chaired by Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, the meeting was attended by Senator Molvi Faiz Muhammad, Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, Senator Dr Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Senator Moula Bux Chandio, Senator Muhammad Akram and senior officers from the Power Division, along with all concerned.
The meeting commenced with a briefing regarding policy on temporary electricity connections by FESCO, members took serious notice of the brevity of the response and demanded more details. The Committee was informed that such connections were permitted, only after complete payment of Demand Notice for an initial period of six months which is extendable. The Committee directed FESCO to provide details of how many connections transitioned from temporary to permanent and after how much time. The Committee was informed that permanent connections are only awarded on demand of the consumer. Tariff rates for temporary connections are higher.
Discussing FESCO’s policy related to posting of LS-1, the Committee was informed that there were no set rules. However, preference is given to those with relevant qualification. The Committee took up a case of particular employee and pointed out that details provided by FESCO were tainted. The Committee asserted that the company must provide complete posting details to the Committee.
Regarding non-provision of electricity connections in certain areas of electrified housing societies that were approved earlier; the Committee was informed that IESCO provides electricity connections to CDA approved societies; with provision of a host of documents. Committee members asserted that CEO IESCO must consult with all concerned departments so that loop holes may be plugged.
The Committee adopted three reports on various matters that were referred by the House and disposed off in the Committee’s last meeting held on 8th February, 2021.
