Loadshedding, power tariff increase breaks the back of people

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, October 04, 2009
Saadia Khalid

Islamabad

The frequent power outages coupled with the recent increase in power tariff has perturbed the residents of Islamabad who severely criticized the authorities for not been able to control the power crisis despite making tall claims.

The frequent spell of loadshedding is gradually becoming a permanent feature of the country, yet six per cent increase in power tariff has left the people in a state of chaos.

“It’s something unbelievable that we are getting electricity for few hours and then receiving heavy bills which exposes the efficiency of relevant authorities who are burdening the people rather than providing them relief,” said Ahad Zeeshan.

Zeeshan said that the current inflationary trend and increased domestic bills have already made it hard to run the domestic affairs smoothly while the current increase was like depriving the common man from their right to live. “We can either feed our children or pay the utility bills,” he said.

On the other hand traders and business class severely criticized the government decision regarding increase in power tariff and said that it was the step taken for their economical murder.

“Our business is already affected because of frequent power breakdowns and the recent increase in power tariff was unbelievable as it is hard for us to pay the huge utility bills when we are unable to complete the orders due to loadshedding,” said Mohammad Iqbal, a tailor at Aabpara Market.

He said that they were hoping some relief from the government before December as it was pledged by the federal minister several times but the recent increase was no more than a shock for them.

The citizens severely criticized the authorities for not been able to control the power crisis in the country and increasing power tariff despite making tall claims regarding relief to the common lot.

“It was pledged that the loadshedding would be ended in December, but the current situation is not supporting the promises made by the authorities,” said Shams-ul-Haq, an employee of a private firm.

Haq said that their whole routine has been disturbed by the increased loadshedding hours. Besides that the electrical appliances at homes often damaged and defected because of abrupt disruption in the supply of electricity while the repairing of these appliances costs dearly to the households.

“I have repaired my refrigerator for three times which has been defected due to the abrupt power breakdowns and also paid huge amount of utility bills,” said Sehrish Ghani, a housewife.

According to the experts, the current power deficit was ranging between 3,000 to 4,000 MGW while there were ample chances of increase in loadshedding in near future as the project of rental power plants was delayed.

“Although the electricity generation through rental power plants is expensive yet it could help the country to come out of current power crisis,” said an expert while adding that the project has fall prey to the politicisation.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=201491