LAHORE: The recent surge in electricity prices has left low-income families with no choice but to abandon electricity and spend their days in the shade of trees in nearby greenbelts.

They describe life as becoming increasingly difficult due to the escalating cost of electricity, inflation, unemployment and other challenges.

Urging the government to take their plight seriously, they appeal for a subsidised electricity rate of no more than Rs20 per unit, inclusive of all taxes, to alleviate their suffering.

“I live in a rented small house, using not more than 100 units of electricity, but the bills we are receiving are beyond our paying capacity,” said a construction worker.

“Finally, we decided to spend the whole day under the shadows of trees in greenbelts. My family, relatives, and friends now gather here daily, sitting or lying on cots and mats. Although the heat can be unbearable at times, we find solace in the fact that we’re saving money by not using expensive electricity to power ceiling or pedestal fans. On pleasant days, we’re even treated to a refreshing breeze, a welcome respite from the sweltering heat.”

Taxes under several heads have caused a massive increase in electricity prices. On the other hand, the increasing prices of commodities, petrol, diesel, and the imposition of huge taxes in the recent budget have financially collapsed the people, especially those below the poverty line, as well as the poor, lower-middle, and middle classes.

“An electricity bill has a series of taxes, fees, levies, etc. These include electricity duty, TV fee, general sales tax, extra tax, further tax, RS tax, GST on Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), extra tax on FPA, further tax on FPA, income tax on FPA, excise duty on FPA, and RS tax on FPA. Similarly, the other column explains the units’ cost (excluding taxes). These include the cost of electricity against the total consumed units, meter rent, service rent, FPA, FC surcharge, quarterly tariff adjustment, and fixed charges,” an official explained.

“If you calculate all, you will find the most expensive electricity in the region,” he maintained, demanding the government to make the IMF agree to reduce the power tariff, especially for those using up to 1,000 units of electricity.

The increasing electricity price has badly affected people’s monthly budgets. “We have squeezed our electricity use to a minimum level. During the day, we spend the whole day in greenbelts under trees. We are even cooking food on wood fire instead of gas. Besides this, we are consuming one salan for both lunch and dinner,” commented another man.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2024