June 7, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 6, 1424

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QUETTA, June 6: The Quetta Electricity Supply Company (Qesco) has agreed to restore power to around 13,000 tubewells in the province after an understanding reached here on Friday with the Zamindar Action Committee.

A formula has been evolved at a joint meeting of the representative of Zamindar Action Committee and Qesco Chief Executive Officer Brig Tassaduq Hussain Shah, with Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf in the chair.

According to the formula, defaulter Zamindars will pay Rs8,000 every month, which include Rs4,000 flat rate of current bill and Rs4,000 arrears.

Zamindars will pay arrears and current bill up to June 15, a deadline after which Qesco will disconnect power supply of individuals for non-payment of dues.

The meeting also agreed to set up a joint committee, comprising the representatives of Zamindars Action Committee, provincial government and Qesco to review the objections of growers regarding outstanding dues and wrong billing.

Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousaf on the occasion urged upon the Zamindars to take advantage of the formula evolved and ensure the payment of their outstanding dues and current bills.

He directed the Qesco officials to resolve the problems of wrong billing, load-shedding and power fluctuation.

The chief minister held out assurance that he would take up the issue of agriculture loans with Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and request him to write off interest on loans extended to the growers of Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Ashraf Nasar and Secretary Irrigation and Power Munnawar Khan Mandokhel were also present at the meeting.