ISLAMABAD, Dec 26: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday approved a controversial increase in electricity tariff for distribution companies (Discos) of Wapda by 91 paisa per unit under monthly fuel adjustment for November but stopped short of notifying the new rates until two separate legal opinions were available.

The revenue impact of the tariff increase was estimated at about Rs6.2 billion for November.

The Nepra asked the Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA), which represented the Discos, to come up with an independent legal opinion over whether or not the notification for fuel-based tariff adjustment could be issued when the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had termed the monthly fuel adjustment and its retrospective recovery from consumers unconstitutional.

In his short order, Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC had declared monthly fuel adjustments and their backdated recoveries as unconstitutional.

The public hearing presided over by acting Nepra chairman Habibullah Khilji for monthly fuel adjustment for November was held on the request of the CPPA.

Some stakeholders told the hearing that the regulator could not even hold a hearing until the detailed judgment of the IHC was available.