PESHAWAR, Dec 21: Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that a comprehensive strategy is being made to overcome the problem of low voltage and loadshedding in the country.

Talking to newsmen at a function here on Saturday, the minister said the government was spending Rs150 billion on the implementation of a number of hydro-electric projects to enhance power generation and raise optimal utilization of water resources.

He said the low voltage was not only annoying the domestic consumers, but it had also affected commercial and industrial sectors. Wapda, he added, had been directed to resolve the problem.

In reply to a question, he said the government would start work on the controversial Kalabagh project only after consensus among the four federating units was reached.

Mr Sherpao said that net hydel profit was a constitutional right of the Frontier province and the federal government would resolve this issue on priority.

Earlier, speaking at the opening ceremony of a grid station on Dalazask Road, the minister said that the government had launched a programme to construct new dams, water reservoirs and hydel power stations to provide more water for irrigation and generating cheaper electricity.

He said the first turbine with a generation capacity of 295MW at Ghazi Barotha would become operational by June and the second turbine would start generation in September.

He said Gomal Zam project would be completed within the stipulated period and the Pehoor high level canal project was in the final stage of completion.

Wapda chairman Zulfiqar Ali Khan said that the new grid station had been installed at a cost of Rs40.5 million.

He hoped that the new grid station would improve the voltage in the concerned areas and reduce burden on other grid stations in the city.

Aftab Sherpao, while disclosing the policies of the government, said that common man would be given further relief in power tariff, APP adds.

The minister said that electricity bills were beyond the capacity of the general public and relief at the rate of 12 paisa was just the launching of the pro common man policies of the present government.

“People of the country have reposed confidence in us to ameliorate their lot and as such we are duty bound to respect their mandate”, he remarked.

As soon as the financial conditions of Wapda were improved, the rates of power unit would be decreased, he said and added that the prices of other general commodities, including edible commodities, would be revised downwards. He said, “a low grade government employee or a labourer with meagre income cannot afford paying exorbitant electricity bills”.

He said that the federal government, specially his ministry, would cooperate with the provincial government in the accomplishment of people-friendly tasks.

Sherpao asked the elected representatives and general public to apprise him of the difficulties with regard to his ministry at any time through any means including telephone, fax or e-mail and assured amidst applause that prompt action would be taken on genuine demands.

He said, with the completion of Ghazi Barotha project, the power problem would be minimized to a maximum extent.

He said, during the period of late Field Marshal Ayub Khan three four power projects were taken in hand after which no previous governments gave attention to this vital sector.