THE Caretaker setup has decided to do what successive governments could not and as a result the power sector is plagued with a multitude of challenges. Power Minister Muhammad Ali and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi announced a robust crackdown during a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday to reduce mounting technical and commercial losses, faced by power distribution companies. They said the Government is preparing to launch a comprehensive and rigorous crackdown on electricity theft, employing a ‘full force’ approach.
It is because of the inaction on the part of previous governments that the entire nation is being penalized for the sins committed by unscrupulous consumers in complete connivance with the officials of the distribution companies. It is because of the staggering losses incurred by discos that the Government frequently resorts to the easiest method of compensating the losses i.e. repeated increase in electricity tariff. Protests are being held in the length and breadth of the country against inflated bills, which majority of consumers find it difficult to pay out of their meagre resources. The gravity of the situation has also prompted consumers to demand withdrawal of free electricity for WAPDA’s in-service and retired employees and free electricity for senior officials of the Government. In fact, crackdowns were announced by various governments in the past but these could not produce the desired results as there was lack of commitment to address the challenge. This time round, there are expectations of tangible results as vested interests of senior bureaucracy as well as employees of the discos are at stake and they might demonstrate the necessary will to eliminate the menace of theft, especially when there are instructions to all law-enforcing agencies to extend necessary cooperation for the purpose. The proposed operation will have to be taken to its logical conclusion as there are losses worth Rs 589 billion annually due to electricity theft and unpaid bills, which is a major factor behind the surging circular debt. The Power Minister acknowledged that theft and default drive up costs for other consumers and that unless this is stopped, electricity prices would not come down. It is an acknowledged reality that theft, default and inefficiency on the part of discos concerned are the real culprits behind unsustainable tariff. The question arises why honest people should be made to pay for corrupt and criminal practices. The Government has prepared a multi-pronged strategy to check theft including transfer of officials involved in theft. However, mere transfers would not produce desired results and the Government may explore the possibility of withdrawing free electricity facility for employees of the discos with higher instances of theft and losses.
