While chairing the eight meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) at Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the government has prioritised the provision of electricity to the people at affordable rates and steps are being taken to minimise load shedding in least possible time.
Addressing the meeting which reviewed progress on the implementation of decisions taken in previous seven meetings, the premier directed that Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Project should be completed within the given timeframe and asked concerned ministries to take steps for meeting fund requirement to ensure timely completion of this project. He added those responsible for causing undue delay should be prepared for accountability.
The WAPDA chairman gave a presentation on Neelum-Jhelum Power Project which after completion will produce more electricity than Mangla. He informed that around 70 per cent of the project has been completed.
The Water and Power secretary briefed the committee that the ministry has worked hard to control the growth of circular debt which currently stands as Rs 254 billion while payables to IPPs have been brought down to around Rs 144.5 billion.
The prime minster was also informed that current electricity bill collection was 75 per cent in the month of January 2015 while overall collection including outstanding amount in this month was 98 per cent.