*ISLAMABAD:*The incumbent government has embarked on an ambitious programmeto cut down circular debt to Rs225 billion by December after it escalatedto Rs450 in an years time, sources told APP.
According to sources, circular debt escalated to Rs450 billion in just oneyear due to delay in tariff determination, absence of proper plan to stoppower pilferage and power supply to high losses feeders.
However, as per the plan, circular debt would be brought down to Rs225billion from the existing over Rs600 billion by December 31, 2019.
Sources alleged that the past government did not give attention to powersector recovery besides continuous power supply to high losses feeders.
They said owing to the efforts of the incumbent government, power sectorrevenue witnessed a Rs40 billion surge in the last three months.“*Kunda* cultureis being eliminated with the support of public representatives andextensive drive against power theft”, they added.
According to sources, special anti power theft campaigns have been launchedin interior Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
The sources said that over 20,000 First Investigation Reports (FIRs) hadbeen lodged against power pilferers and over 2,000 accused have beenarrested so far.
The sources further said that raids were also being conducted during nightto curb menace of power theft. Over 450 officials of various distributioncompanies found involved in power theft have been terminated.
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A per the plan, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), Quetta ElectricSupply Company (QESCO), Multan Electric Supply Company (MEPCO) and LahoreElectric Supply Company (LESCO) would be further bifurcated to bringimprovement in their performance.
Under investment plan in power distribution companies (DISCOs), length oftransmission lines of various feeders would be reduced to 20-25 kilometerwhich would not only help reduce lines losses but also end low voltageissue. The step would also help increase revenue, they said.
They said transmission line was also being upgraded adding thatarrangements had been finalized for Matiari-Lahore Transmission line.
They said that there were total 840,000 power transformers in the countryand talks were being held with the World Bank (WB) for installing separatemeters on every transformer.
It would not only identify exact power consumption but also reduce linelosses besides improving revenue collection.
