ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), being under tremendous pressure to further lowering down its tariff, is considering to provide tariff concession to the consumers by providing relief on less consumption in peak hours as was done by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on telephone use in lean hours.

Water and power federal minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told newsmen here on Saturday that the hydel power generation had drastically gone down due to water shortage while three thermal power stations were closed down due to gas shortage, adding to further increase in dependence on electricity production on Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and resulting in hike in its prices.

He, however, said Wapda was still bearing the high costs and did not shift the burden to the common consumer, so far.

The minister did not agree with the reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had expressed its anger over the 12 paisa per unit tariff concession that was allowed by the Jamali government soon after its taking over power. The concession, he added, was duly approved by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and was within the government’s powers which did not hurt its understanding with the IMF.

He said though a 12-paisa lowering in electricity tariff was meagre one, yet it was substantial for the lowest strata of the society.

Sherpao said the power tariff concession through peak and lean hours, which was under consideration, would take some time for want of resources for the import of necessary equipment and its installation.

He further said the government was in the process of preparing special packages of lowering tariff for tubewells to facilitate the farming community and special concession formula was also under consideration for the benefit of industry.

The minister was of the opinion that water releases from Tarbela Dam would also have to be closed down as was the case as regards the Mangla Dam when the canals were closed down. Releasing water during this period, he claimed, would only be wasting it into the sea.