Of late, Wapda’s improved performance is visible in the fields including control of electricity theft, recovery of dues and customer services.

Line losses: There is a considerable decrease in line losses during the last four years as the same were brought down from 42 per cent (ending 1998) to 24.2 per cent (ending September 02). This reduction became possible through strict vigilance and the implementation of the ‘action plan’. Consequently, 1,255,341 consumers have been charged detection bills amounting to Rs6,965.03 million during the period from Jan 99 to Sept 2002. Rrequired funds amounting to Rs3.2 billion for rehabilitation of distribution system have already been allocated to all distribution companies.

Revenue collection which was Rs93.3 billion during 1997-98 has increased to Rs186.0 billion during 2001-02, reflecting an increase of almost 100 per cent.

Due to vigorous efforts, for the recovery of receivables from private as well as public sector, the receivables have decreased from Rs61.404 billion ending 12/1998 to Rs45.304 billion ending 06/02 in spite of increase in billing from Rs127.900 to Rs188.900 billion during this period. It is worth mentioning that recovery from private sector has been 100 per cent during the last four years.

No doubt, the grey areas in this regard are AJK, FATA and Balochistan where the recovery is not satisfactory due to socio-economic and other political factors. It is hoped that by end of the fiscal year, recovery from public will be as per fixed target. Despite these negative factors, the recovery has been almost 100 per cent during fiscal years 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Service to customers has been improved to a great extent through adopting a commercial approach and taking different measures. Effective control over excess billing to consumers has been ensured and the concerned staff in the excess billing warned of strict punishment. Centres at various circles have been established to provide round-the-clock service along with mobile customer service. New connections are being provided within 24 hours for domestic customers whereas time for other connections has been reduced to a great extent. Defective meters are being replaced to ensure correct billing. Besides, customer service centres, one-window operation facility has been provided at sub-divisional levels. Officer at all tiers having interaction with the customers through open katcheries.

The electric supply position has also improved by carrying out preventive maintenance of the system, rehabilitation of the distribution system, in addition to new grid stations and transmission lines.

Purchases in Wapda are now made through transparent process of bidding or tendering. Usually open and international tendering system is evolved to ensure fair competition amongst the bidders. In this way Wapda has made saving of billions of rupees in purchases of meters, conductors and structures. During 2002-03, Rs470 million were saved in purchase of meters, conductors and PVC 2/core cable due to transparent and competitive bidding.

To eradicate corruption, inefficiency and mismanagement, a strict accountability system has been adopted; 33,501 disciplinary cases have been decided and due penalties have been imposed upon 19,951 personnel including 2,491 officers of all ranks upto the post of general managers.

POWER PLANTS: A comprehensive plan has been evolved to improve the efficiency of Wapda’s thermal power plants. This includes throughout overhauling/inspection of all units. This has shown significant improvement in the efficiency of thermal generation which the last year was all-time high since 1999. The plants supplied 15,838 GHW during 1998-99 while 18,599 GHW energy was supplied in the system during 2001-02 and there is an increase of over 17 per cent. A plan for conversion of thermal units on gas has also been prepared, the implementation of which has been delayed due to non-availability of gas as at present there is a shortfall of about 300 MMCFD against Wapda’s daily demand of 700 MMCFD. Wapda has requested GOP and the ministry of petroleum and natural resources to meet Wapda’s required demand.