KARACHI, Jan 5: The standoff between the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and the Karachi Water Sewerage Board (KWSB) was resolved on Sunday in a high-level meeting presided over by chief secretary Sindh, Muhammad Javed Ashraf Hussain.

The meeting, in addition to a threadbare scrutiny of the disputed issues, examined the report on the claims of the KESC against the KWSB.

It was observed that in total the KESC was claiming Rs922.981 million against the KWSB. This amount included Rs454.098 million as the late payment surcharge.

On the issue of the late payment surcharge, the meeting was informed that the governor Sindh had requested the federal minister for finance to consider its waiving of.

It was decided that the final decision on this amount would be made in the light of the response from the federal ministry of finance. Another amount of Rs96.673 million, out of the total claim of Rs922.981 million, was found to be not maintainable against the KWSB. This left the amount to be made immediate decision upon as Rs372.210 million.

It was decided that the amount of Rs372.210 million would be paid by the KWSB to the KESC in six equal monthly instalments. The KWSB would pay Rs115 million out of the outstanding bill for the month of November 2001. The KESC, it was decided, would immediately restore the KWSB connections cut on account of nonpayment.

The controversy between the KESC and the KSWB on the “Maximum Demand Indicator” was also discussed. It was decided that the electric inspector for the Karachi region, assisted by Aijaz Nabi Abbasi, ex-consultant to the Sindh government, would work out the proposals on the issue. The electric inspector would submit his report within one month. Nepra authorities would be taken into confidence in the light of these recommendations.

The additional chief secretary (development) P&D department, the secretary finance, the managing directors of the KESC & the KWSB, the official in charge AMT, KESC, the consultant to the Sindh government on the KESC and WAPDA affairs, and other high-ranking officers attended the meeting.— PPI