KARACHI, Aug 29: Speakers at a seminar on “Reduction in power tariff” suggested introduction of meters fed by pre-paid cards and underground electric wires to thwart the use of “kunda” (illegal hook).

The seminar was organized by The Helpline Trust to see the ground realities and submit objective-oriented suggestions for reducing the tariff and improving efficiency of Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC).

The KESC was bearing at least 40 per cent line losses for which power theft was the main contributor, the speakers said.

They held mismanagement, corruption, and inefficient and non-professional management of KESC responsible for the unmatched expenditure and huge loss to the utility, ultimately leading to high power tariff.

Former president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, who had also been on KESC’s board of directors for five years, proposed the utility should install meters where in pre-paid cards be placed like mobile phones. Hence, he continued, a consumer would be free to buy a card of certain amount according to his power consumption requirement and as such there would be no issue of recovery of bills or theft of power.

Mr Zubair opposed the privatization of KESC and instead suggested that the utility should be divided into two chapters — generation and distribution wings. The distribution wing should be further divided into town zones in the city and these should be given to contractors while KESC should monitor their performance.

Managing Director KESC Brig Tariq Sadozai said that the first challenge for KESC management was to ensure uninterrupted supply of power in the city.

He made it clear that rehabilitation programme of KESC was under process and all the stake-holders including town Nazims and industrial associations of the city would give suggestions so that rehabilitation could be executed according to the requirements of consumers.

“Rehabilitation work would start within two months and federal government had already given the amount,” he added.

Under the programme, more transmitters and grid stations would be set up, he said adding that KESC is seeking direct link with Hubco so that it could purchase its surplus power to strengthen the supply position.

Mirza Hamid Hassan proposed that enhanced power generation by the KESC would increase consumers and its revenue that would help reduce tariffs. He also emphasized on conversion of KESC to gas-based generation system for its low cost.

President Helpline Trust Hamid Marker, Ronald de Souza, Engr Tanzim Hussain Naqvi and Saleem Ahmed Khan also spoke.—APP