ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: The government has given three months subsidy in electricity bills to the people of earthquake affected areas, where free electricity would be supplied. Giving a policy statement federal minister for water and power Liaqat Ali Jatoi on Friday said government had decided to provide more relief to earthquake victims, and the people of these areas had been exempted from electricity tariff for next three months, whereas the people in calamity hit areas would not be bound to pay the bill for the month of September.

As far as electricity restoration in the affected areas was concerned Wapda staff has restored the electricity of Balakot, Mansehra, Bagh and Neelum Valley whereas the grid station in Muzaffarabad had suffered complete destruction, and teams have been dispatched for repairs.

On the other hand the water supply to the affected areas has also been restored.

He also refuted the allegations that government took time in launching relief and rescue operations. He said martyrdom of army troops also led to problems in mobilizing the resources for relief operations. The weather also created hindrance in the rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the chief executive, IESCO, Brig Shahbaz Azam has sent four more teams of IESCO under the supervision of Executive Engineer to Bagh, Azad Kashmir for the restoration of power.

Three out of 11 grid stations under the control of IESCO were affected due to the earthquake. These three grid stations include Rawalakot, Bagh and Hajira. The four teams which are already in the area restored the electricity in these areas. However, the installation of electricity wires, poles and transformers are necessary for the rectification of electricity system.—Online