PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has demanded the government to withdraw the increase in electricity tariff of 48 paisa per unit on the head of a fuel adjustment.
The demand was made by SCCI president Sherbaz Bilour while talking to different delegations of industrialists and traders on Monday, according to a press statement.
The coronavirus pandemic had left industries and businesses reeling, Bilour said the hike in electricity rate would further escalate industrial productivity as traders would not be able to pay off heavy bills and increase financial depression under the present uncertain and unfavorable conditions.
The price hike would affect the manufacturing sector which could halt industrialization in the province, he added.
He said that National Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had already made an increase of 48 paisa per unit in the electricity tariff on the head of fuel adjustment for one month in August 2020.
The SCCI chief maintained that the electricity production cost was around Rs3.68 per unit in August while electricity advance fuel cost was Rs3.20 per unit in the afore-stated month, adding that additional recovery would be made from consumers in November due to the business community being burdened with Rs5billion.
Bilour urged that the government to provide the business community with relief, emphasizing that the miseries of the trading community should be kept in mind before enforcing new policies.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has hiked electricity prices by 48 paise per unit for one month.
According to a notification by NEPRA today, the price hike is in line with the August fuel price adjustment. The cost of generating electricity in August was Rs 3.68 per unit.
In August, the advance fuel cost of electricity was Rs 3.20 per unit. Additional charges from customers will be made in November. The decision will not apply to K-electric customers.
Consumers will be burdened with more than Rs 5 billion. NEPRA had increased the rate by 83 paise per unit last month, imposing an additional burden of more than Rs 10 billion on consumers. Last month’s increase was in line with the July 2020 adjustment.
