January 05, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 25, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: Countrywide electricity loadshedding has proved the inefficiency and mismanagement of the authorities concerned, Executive Coordinator of TheNetwork for Consumer Protection in Pakistan Dr Talib Lashari said.

He said the government was brushing aside its inefficiency under different pretexts like shortage of water and maintenance of power generating units etc., while the root cause remained unattended. The fact remains that no new power generation plant was established in the last 10 years which has not only undermined the capacity of existing plants but also their output.

TheNetwork for Consumer Protection points out that due to the prevailing loadshedding there has been loss to economy due to less productivity in industrial units, offices and business centres etc.

The situation in hospitals has aggravated due to non-performance of operation theatres and other procedures which rely upon electric supply.

There are reports that due to unannounced loadshedding and fluctuation in voltages many incidents of damage to home appliances have occurred.

Dr Lashari on behalf of TheNetwork for Consumer Protection emphasised the need for addressing the issue on short-term basis by ensuring proper management and governance of existing power generation capacity while in long-term through conducting a situation analysis and developing a policy through participation of people and their representatives.

He also demanded that loadshedding be ended or at least the authorities concerned should announce proper schedule and duration of power cuts through electronic and print media so that consumers do not suffer unnecessarily and avoid losses to home appliances.

Dr Lashari demanded compensation to consumers under the law regarding loss of electric appliances due to voltage fluctuation.