Government has issued strict instructions to the board of directors of power distribution companies (DISCOs) to finalise names of candidates for appointing chief executive officers of these companies before December 31. An official source said directions were issued by ministry of water and power after it was noted that boards had failed to perform their task for the last three months. Federal cabinet had directed DISCO boards in early October to finalise names of candidates.
Government had initially planned to appoint new CEOs by October end to expedite restructuring of management of DISCOs. The source said only four DISCOs, including LESCO, FESCO, GEPCO and QESCO have submitted their panel of names to the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) while response from IESCO, MEPCO, PESCO, HESCO and SEPCO was still being awaited. They were reminded that they have to finalise names before the year end so that the process for appointing new CEOs could be completed. Incumbent management of DISCOs was opposing appointment of new CEOs. The boards too have some concerns on the advertised criteria for selecting new CEOs. Government allowed MEPCO to include other candidates for interviews, even though the final selection would be made by the prime minister. The source said that there were concerns in official circles on the performance of the boards as many directors have non professional backgrounds. After short listing candidates, CCOR would be submitting the final panel consisting three candidates to the prime minister for approval. Boards have sent panels having five to seven names of candidates. The appointment of new CEOs will start the second phase of power sector reforms which will end with the making of DISCOs feasible for privatisation. The source said the establishment of a power wing in MOWP having professionals to effectively address power sector issues was also facing hurdles, as the establishment division had not responded to the provision of one joint secretary, two deputy secretaries and four section officers for the last four months. Government has already transferred all financial and administrative functions of PEPCO to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) till full functioning of CPPA.
