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November 07, 2008
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Friday
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Ziqa'ad 8, 1429
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KARACHI: Traders threaten strike over power tariff hike
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 6: Amid persisting prolonged power outages in the city, representatives of small traders and cottage industries have warned of a shutter-down strike on Nov 25 if the government fails to make a categorical announcement about reversal of the decision to enhance power tariff, which in most cases is more than 70 per cent.
Consumers from across the city complained of load-shedding stretching beyond two hours in at least four cycles during the day. In many areas the KESC is keeping feeders switched off even beyond the unannounced load-shedding. Residents of a locality where many feeders are installed have alleged that the feeders are switched off simultaneously, but they are not switched on together. Some of them are kept dormant for more time because the faulty load balancing of the feeders which are heavily overloaded. The KESC has not been able to equally distribute load to its feeders allegedly because of underhand dealings or favouritism.
A meeting of representatives of various trade and market associations in the city on Thursday, convened by the All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage Industries, resolved that small traders and businessmen in the metropolis would not pay the electricity bills for October if the KESC again sent them bills with increased tariff.
The association’s Karachi division President, Mahmood Hamid, slammed the government for not keeping its word about resolving the issue of electricity tariff hike within 10 days. He deplored that no progress had been made to mitigate the sufferings of electricity consumers.
He said it was sheer injustice on the part of the KESC to again issue electricity bills with tariff enhanced by 70 per cent and more.
He said the leadership of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry should exert its influence to get withdrawn the decision to increase electricity tariff.
Participants of the meeting also demanded that the government reduce by 50 per cent prices of petrol, diesel and the liquefied petroleum gas.
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