July 05, 2006	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 8, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, July 4: The Ministry of Water and Power has finalised a new plan under the Roshan Pakistan Programme to provide thousands of new domestic, commercial, agriculture and industrial power connections in all the four provinces by December 2007.

Informed sources told Dawn on Tuesday that the ministry has sought approval of Rs6.5 billion worth first phase of its plan which envisages extension of electricity facility to 13 major districts of the Punjab.

However, in view of acute power crisis, especially in Karachi, the ministry wants to provide this facility to maximum number of villages in order to help the PML-led government win 2007 general election.

Under the proposed plan, a total of 25.7 million inhabitants will be provided electricity in 13 districts of Punjab, including Multan, D G Khan, Layyah, Muzaffar Garh, Rajan Pur, Bahawal Nagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khaniwal, Lodhran, Pakpatan, Sahiwal and Vehari.

All the power companies of Wapda have separately prepared their programmes and submitted them to the Planning Commission for approval. However, priority has been accorded to the rural electrification plan of the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco).

From July 2006 to December 2007, about 7,785 villages will be electrified and 155,700 domestic, 31,140 commercial, 7,785 agriculture and 467 industrial power connections will be provided in addition to a number of tube-well connections.

The ministry believes that Mepco’s plan will earn revenue which will be used for further development. It will also increase agricultural produce and industrial products and would provide revenue to the federal and provincial governments in shape of taxes.

The government hops that provision of electricity under the Roshan Pakistan Programme would leave long-term and deep-rooted socio-economic impacts. Establishment of agri-based cottage and small scale industries near the sources of raw material would provide increased production with better gain and will create more employment opportunities.

“This is envisaged to check influx of rural population to the already congested cities and towns. Besides, electrification will also improve environmental and ecological conditions,” says a communication of the ministry to the Planning Commission.