• Murad believes Punjab govt’s move to give two-month subsidy in power bills will backfire
• Says govt is exploring ways and means to provide affordable electricity to people
• Governor Tessori formally writes to CM for Rs14 per unit relief for people of Sindh

KARACHI: Hopes for relief in electricity bills for the people of Sindh crushed on Tuesday when Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah refused to follow the example of the Punjab government and described the proposal of providing at least 14 per cent subsidy on power bills to people as a “temporary measure” and wastage of public money.

However, the chief minister vowed to go for some “solid and durable actions” to provide relief to the masses.

The CM’s view came hours after Governor Kamran Tessori formally sent him a letter “urging” him to consider the Rs14 per unit relief to electricity consumers in Sindh.

The people of Sindh witnessed back to back developments when Governor House announced the letter written from Governor Tessori seeking relief from the Pakistan Peoples Party government in power tariff through the subsidy from the provincial kitty.

Contrary to expectations, CM Shah himself, within hours, ruled out any such possibility.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the administrative measure of Main Nara Valley Drains (MNVD) at Kali Mori, the chief minister questioned the “sustainability” of the measures announced by the Punjab government.

He said such moves would often backfire and create more distress in the end than giving relief to the people.

“We don’t want to drain out public money for any temporary good after creating a mess,” he replied to a question about the Punjab government’s move and possible action from his administration on similar lines.

“This is not a relief in which only subsidies have been offered for only two months and the third month for the poor customers would turn out to be again a bombshell. [On other hand] They [federal government] don’t have funds to carry out development works in Sindh but they arranged money to provide relief in electricity bills in a particular province,” he said while criticising the decision for the people of Punjab.

The CM said that the PPP leadership had given him clear instructions which envisioned a “permanent relief” in the electricity bills for the people of Sindh.

He said the power crisis in terms of its cost of production had been created by those who had wanted to install power plants which would run on imported coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“They stopped Sindh from installing solar and wind power projects and now they are saying that the solution to generate low-cost electricity lies in solar, wind and Thar coal power generation,” said CM Shah.

“We would never drain out public funds by providing temporary, unstable and impractical subsidy. But definitely we are exploring ways and means to provide affordable electricity to our people.”

Governor sends letter to CM

Earlier, Governor Tessori in his letter requested the CM Shah to consider replicating the Punjab government’s initiative in Sindh as the absence of such relief “could exacerbate feelings of neglect” among the people of Sindh during this economic crisis.

“The government of Punjab has announced a relief plan aimed at reducing electricity bills by Rs14 per unit for consumers utilising up to 500 units during the months of August and September,” said the governor’s letter. “The Government of Sindh has always been at the forefront of encouraging initiatives that promote public welfare. Therefore, I urge you to consider the implementation of a similar relief plan for Sindh province.”

The letter stated: “Such a measure would not only alleviate the financial burden on our residents, but also exemplify the Sindh government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of its people. Conversely, the absence of such relief could exacerbate feelings of neglect among the people of Sindh during this economic crisis.”

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2024