The committee which met under the chairmanship of Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra expressed annoyance at the absence of top brass of Water and Power Ministry. The committee also recommended to send the issue of Net Hydel Profit (NHP) of KPK to Council of Common Interests (CCI).
The committee discussed the point of order raised by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani (now Chairman Senate) on July 22, 2011 drawing attention of the government towards the attitude of the administration of KE towards its low paid employees in defiance of the labour policy.
PPP Senator Taj Haider who also hails from Karachi informed the committee that an agreement was signed between the KE management and employees at 5 am which was witnessed by him and Governor Sindh. However, KE management broke the agreement at 10 am, just five hours later. He further stated that employees won the case in the High Court but the KE management challenged the decision in Supreme Court of Pakistan. He argued that the employees and their families should not be punished, suggesting that the committee should recommend the Supreme Court hear the facts. Chairman Standing Committee while agreeing to the proposal assured the committee that the rights of employees will be protected.
The representative of KE argued that the employees opted for golden handshake in 2011. He said the matter is in the court and assured the committee that there is no proposal to relieve other employees of the company.
Senator Nisar Mohmand alleged that KE was getting 750 MW electricity from the national grid instead of 650 MW for the last two years. Chairman Standing Committee directed the Ministry of Water and Power to submit details of KE's own generation and new PPA in the next meeting. The committee decided to exclusively discuss KE matters in the meeting.
Senator Mir Kabir raised the issue of unchecked load shedding in Balochistan. He stated that the level of underground water in Balochistan has dropped to 1000 feet and farmers are suffering due to load shedding. He argued that the main reason for unemployment in Balochistan is load shedding, adding 90 per cent employment is linked to the availability of electricity.
"I have raised this issue many times with the relevant Minister and the Senate but was paid no heed. Chairman Senate handed this matter over to the Standing Committee," he added. He proposed that the government should switch over 30,000 agriculture tub-wells to solar power which is the only solution to the energy shortage in Balochistan. CEO, Qesco, Rehmat Ullah informed the committee that 75 per cent of its consumers are agriculture consumers whereas 25 per cent belong to other categories.
He said, according to the tripartite agreement, framers are allowed to install 30 hp tube-wells but they are not honouring the agreement with the federal government. Provincial government is extending a Rs 12 billion subsidy. Senator Kabir maintained that farmers of Balochistan are suffering financially, adding that the issue of load shedding must be resolved. Senate committee urged the government to resolve load shedding issue forthwith.
Senator Lieutenant General Salahiddin Tirmizi raised the issue of load shedding in Mansehra. He said the people of Mansehera city are facing 12-14 hours load shedding whereas no electricity is available in villages. Senator Azam Swati said the issue of load shedding should be resolved as it is creating law and order situation. He further stated that a negative impression is evident in the masses.
Chief Executive Pesco, Fazeel Hussain informed the committee that 132 KV circuit had been given to the area. Now the NTDC has withdrawn the temporary connection. He said load shedding is inevitable due to feeders overload. Senator Nisar Mohmand raised the issue of load shedding in Malakand (KPK), adding that recovery in this area is 97 per cent but even then the people are facing 14-hour load-shedding. He recommended the installation of Chakdara grid station immediately and demanded of payment of NHP to KPK.
Senator Zafarullah Khan Dhandla suggested other districts should also be given representation on Fesco board as presently all the 9 board members hail from District Faisalabad. The committee decided to invite the Ministries of National Food Security and Research, Science and Technology and President ZTBL to discuss switching over electricity agriculture tube-wells to solar technology.