LAHORE, Sept 14: Wapda (Water and Power Development Authority) has notified a package of incentives for the cotton-ginning industry.
According to a press release, industrial connections that have been disconnected for two to five years will pay 50 per cent of the arrears as down payment for restoration subject to the provisions of the Reconnection Policy announced on Oct 11, 1999. The remaining arrears could be paid in three instalments.
Those consumers who pay 50 per cent of the arrears as down payment before Dec 31 will be exempted the minimum/fixed charges under Clause (ii) of the Reconnection Policy. The exemption will also be available to those consumers against whom there are no arrears.
Industrial consumers, seeking reconnection within five years of disconnection have been allowed to pay 50 per cent of the additional security deposit as down payment before reconnection and the balance in instalments up to Dec 31, subject to the condition that the sanctioned load remains unchanged.
The mark-up will be levied on payment of arrears in instalments as per prevalent bank rates.
If an industrial unit defaults on payment of its current monthly bill or instalment, the connection of that unit would be disconnected without any notice. It would no more be entitled to the above package.
A 10 per cent rebate will be offered on a minimum of 25 per cent increase in electricity consumption in a billing month within the existing load as compared to the average consumption for three months of the previous year.
A 10 per cent annual rebate will also be given to consumers making advance payment adjustable against future monthly bills.
The load-sanctioning authority of an industrial connection will be competent to offer these incentives. The chief executive officer of the concerned distribution company will be the final authority in all cases.
In case of a dispute, the matter shall be referred to the authority next to the load-sanctioning authority. The general manager of customer services will be the final authority for resolution of disputes, which will be decided within a month.