It has been reported that power rates would be increased to Rs 15 per unit from 5 PM to 10 PM, which hours are of peak use during winter. This would amount to a virtual 15 percent increase over the maximum rates of Rs 13 being charged at present over 1000 units per month.
It appears the new hike in power rates is being applied in a stealthy manner over and above the other increases in vogue at present. The people are already groaning under the ever-increasing power rates and the latest camouflaged manner of hike in power rates would break the proverbial camel’s back by placing not a straw but a beam over it.
The authorities have no perception of the miseries being faced by the masses over the high power tariff because they themselves have to pay no power bills due to official perks. The failure to build a mega dam in time would come to haunt our politicians who cannot see beyond their vested interests to the dismay of our 180 million people.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
