Latest news with #050
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Domestic consumers: Pakistan govt hikes gas fixed charges
ISLAMABAD: Federal government has approved increase in the fixed charges for domestic gas consumers of both gas companies (SNGPL/ SSGC) by Rs150 (protected) and Rs400 (non-protected) effective from July 1, 2025. With an average 10 percent tariff hike will applicable to the power sector, bulk consumers, and general industry (process). The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), on Friday, approved the summary submitted by the Petroleum Division, seeking approval for a revised natural gas pricing structure for the fiscal year 2025–26. The ECC considered the proposed adjustments in energy sector tariffs and decided to maintain gas prices to protect household consumers with only fixed charges re-adjusted in domestic sector to recover the asset costs. It also allowed price of gas for bulk consumers, power plants operating on natural gas and industry to be increased by an average value of around 10 percent. SNGPL, SSGC: Weighted average price of imported RLNG cut slightly The committee approved a raise in gas tariff to bulk consumers from Rs2,900 per mmbtu to Rs3,075 per mmbtu. For power sector tariff has revised from Rs1,050 per mmbtu to Rs1,313 per mmbtu. For general industry (process) tariff was revised from Rs2,150 to Rs2,350 per mmbtu. The minimum bill for protected and non-protected consumer will be calculated at the first tariff slab of each category. Power tariff would also be stand revised for PPL's gas supply to Guddu, and Mari Energies' gas supply to Foundation Power. According to the summary submitted for consideration of ECC, it argues that only room to revise prices is available in the domestic sector slabs, wherein, a huge cross-subsidy is involved which is estimated at Rs168 billion per annum at current prices. Government is already engaged with IMF under the resilience sustainability facility to replace cross-subsidies with direct or budgeted subsides in commensuration with income levels of the domestic consumers under the BISP. As per the reform measure, the framework for replacing the cross-subsidy would be developed by June 2026 following the model being pursued by Power Division which is expected to be rolled out in 2027. Petroleum Division worked out option whereby revision in the gas tariff, as well as, fixed charge has been proposed; however, in order to lower the impact of price revision in domestic sector, the revision in bulk domestic, industry (process) and power sector, which is unchanged since February 2023, has also been approved. The revisions in gas tariff are estimated to meet Rs41 billion revenue deficit of SNGPL and it would also generate Rs31 billion surplus for SSGC which would be utilised to meet prior revenue shortfall of SSGC which are around Rs565 billion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Domestic consumers: Govt hikes gas fixed charges
ISLAMABAD: Federal government has approved increase in the fixed charges for domestic gas consumers of both gas companies (SNGPL/ SSGC) by Rs150 (protected) and Rs400 (non-protected) effective from July 1, 2025. With an average 10 percent tariff hike will applicable to the power sector, bulk consumers, and general industry (process). The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), on Friday, approved the summary submitted by the Petroleum Division, seeking approval for a revised natural gas pricing structure for the fiscal year 2025–26. The ECC considered the proposed adjustments in energy sector tariffs and decided to maintain gas prices to protect household consumers with only fixed charges re-adjusted in domestic sector to recover the asset costs. It also allowed price of gas for bulk consumers, power plants operating on natural gas and industry to be increased by an average value of around 10 percent. SNGPL, SSGC: Weighted average price of imported RLNG cut slightly The committee approved a raise in gas tariff to bulk consumers from Rs2,900 per mmbtu to Rs3,075 per mmbtu. For power sector tariff has revised from Rs1,050 per mmbtu to Rs1,313 per mmbtu. For general industry (process) tariff was revised from Rs2,150 to Rs2,350 per mmbtu. The minimum bill for protected and non-protected consumer will be calculated at the first tariff slab of each category. Power tariff would also be stand revised for PPL's gas supply to Guddu, and Mari Energies' gas supply to Foundation Power. According to the summary submitted for consideration of ECC, it argues that only room to revise prices is available in the domestic sector slabs, wherein, a huge cross-subsidy is involved which is estimated at Rs168 billion per annum at current prices. Government is already engaged with IMF under the resilience sustainability facility to replace cross-subsidies with direct or budgeted subsides in commensuration with income levels of the domestic consumers under the BISP. As per the reform measure, the framework for replacing the cross-subsidy would be developed by June 2026 following the model being pursued by Power Division which is expected to be rolled out in 2027. Petroleum Division worked out option whereby revision in the gas tariff, as well as, fixed charge has been proposed; however, in order to lower the impact of price revision in domestic sector, the revision in bulk domestic, industry (process) and power sector, which is unchanged since February 2023, has also been approved. The revisions in gas tariff are estimated to meet Rs41 billion revenue deficit of SNGPL and it would also generate Rs31 billion surplus for SSGC which would be utilised to meet prior revenue shortfall of SSGC which are around Rs565 billion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Smart toilet for Cecil St market
From June 15, the public will have to pay 50sen to use the smart toilet. THE presence of sensors, air quality updates and solar panels look almost out of place in an almost 100-year-old market in George Town, Penang. Walk into the newly built Cecil Street market restroom and you may think you're in an ultra-modern space. On the outside, a screen tells you which booths are occupied, the total number of users and the current air quality. Inside, wooden benches, potted plants, welcoming lighting, fans and sensor-powered flushes all add up to a high-tech toilet break. Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng and State local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye to launching for the Lebuh Cecil Smart Toilet at Entrance Hall, Lebuh Cecil Market. ( June 8, 2025 ) ¡°CHAN BOON KAI/The Star In case of an emergency, a panic button is available to ensure safety at all times. The smart toilet, courtesy of Penang Island City Council (MBPP), ensures that marketgoers have a comfortable visit while answering the call of nature. MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the upgraded toilet was an important step forward in addressing the standard of facilities at locations like local markets. 'It is solar powered and has motion sensors while the water supply comes from harvested rainwater. 'There is a screen with data displays to indicate air quality, availability (vacancy of toilets) and the number of visitors,' he said during the official opening ceremony at Cecil Street market. Rajendran said the upgrade took five months to complete at a cost of RM462,050. 'There are 11 cubicles – six in the women's toilet, four in the men's toilet and one toilet for the disabled. From June 15, the public will have to pay 50sen to use the smart toilet. 'The original one only had two each and one for the disabled. 'There is a nursing room for mothers and a storeroom as well,' he said. Rajendran said this was the first of three public toilets that would be upgraded in Penang this year. 'The other two are public toilets in Jelutong and Farlim, which will have solar panels and full upgrades. 'There are 72 public toilets in the state and this is the first smart toilet,' he added. The toilet will open from 6am to 10pm. From June 15, there will be a 50sen charge for public use while hawkers and stall operators only need to pay 20sen. These fees will go to a caretaker who is a retiree, not to MBPP, said Rajendra. Present at the smart toilet's opening were Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, state local government and town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng.
Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Straits Times
Woman conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and gold necklace to 'Chinese physician' for blessing
Woman conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and gold necklace to 'Chinese physician' for blessing A woman was conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and her Guan Yin pendant to a "Chinese physician" for "blessing". Three women and a man, aged between 47 and 61, were arrested for their suspected involvement after the police received a report from the victim on June 3. The victim was initially approached by one of the women seeking directions to a Chinese physician. A second woman then intervened, claiming to know of a suitable physician but explained that consultations could only take place outside the premises due to overcrowding. The second woman wanted the victim to pose as her relative and both women led the victim to meet a third woman who claimed to be a Chinese physician and told the victim she was experiencing misfortune due to negative spiritual elements. The three women and the victim then arranged to meet at Hong Lim Park where the victim was convinced to surrender $700 in cash and a gold necklace with a Guan Yin pendant to the "Chinese physician", who then placed the items in a black plastic bag and performed a purported blessing ritual. The victim was instructed to store the plastic bag underneath her bed and not open it for one month. But the next morning, she examined the contents of the plastic bag and discovered that her valuables had been replaced with leaves. A similar scam was reported in Clementi on June 4. Two women approached another victim and engaged her in conversation. After noticing cash in the victim's bag, they convinced her to place the $700 into a black trash bag for "safekeeping". The victim later discovered that her money was missing. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of CCTV footage, officers established the identities of the three women and a fourth man who was believed to be working with trio. All four were arrested on June 5. The first victim's gold necklace was recovered from one of them. Cash amounting to S$1,311 and RMB10,050 were seized as case exhibits. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The suspects were to be charged in court on June 6 with conspiracy to cheat, which carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The police said they would like to remind members of the public to be wary of strangers who claim to provide spiritual help or blessing services. No legitimate religiou spractitioner will ask for your money or valuables to be surrendered for any blessi ngritual. You should be vigilant and alert elderly family members about such scams. If approached by someone claiming you have bad luck or need spiritual cleansing, do not engage with them and call the police immediately. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
The Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Eco-friendly smart toilet debuts at Penang's Cecil Street Market
GEORGE TOWN: The newly built smart toilet in Penang is leading the way in eco-friendly innovation, utilising solar-powered lighting and rain-harvested water. The Cecil Street Market toilet received a full makeover offering a high-tech experience with motion sensors and safety features. Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the upgraded toilet was an important step forward in addressing the standard of facilities at locations like local markets. "It is solar-powered and has motion sensors while the water supply comes from harvested rainwater. "There is a screen with data display to indicate air quality, availability (vacancy of toilets) and the number of visitors. "There is an occupant indicator light as well as a panic alarm in case of an emergency," he said during the official opening ceremony at the market here on Sunday (June 8). Rajendran said this was the first of three toilets that would be upgraded to smart toilets in the state this year. "This took five months to complete at a cost of RM462,050. "There are 11 cubicles (six in the women's toilets, four in the men's toilets and one toilet for the disabled). "There is a private feeding room for babies as well," he said. Present during the ceremony were Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, state local government and town and country planning committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng.
