Latest news with #Rs315
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Leaking DISCOs
Listen to article As Pakistan begins to inch toward a long-overdue path of economic recovery, the government has been eager to highlight improvements across sectors — none more so than the power sector, where Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari claims a "success" in reducing electricity theft and losses by Rs192 billion. But in truth, this is a damning reminder of how deep-rooted dysfunction continues to plague DISCOs, and how these entities remain one of the biggest drags on the country's economic revival. The Rs591 billion loss inflicted by government-run DISCOs in FY2023-24 is a symptom of institutional rot. While the minister points to a reduction to Rs399 billion as a sign of progress, let us not forget that this remaining burden is still being shouldered by taxpayers and honest bill-payers. The breakdown of the losses is as follows: Rs315 billion lost due to unpaid bills and Rs276 billion attributed to electricity theft. Even with improved recovery rates and marginal savings, the fact remains that nearly Rs400 billion continues to bleed from the system every year. This is a massive leakage in an economy. Power theft, non-recovery and technical inefficiencies all stem from the same root cause: a lack of governance and accountability. For years, DISCOs have been run on the basis of political patronage and outdated systems that allow theft and corruption to flourish unchecked. While reforms and merit-based board appointments are welcome, they are not a silver bullet. Without independent audits and zero-tolerance enforcement on corruption, these reforms will remain cosmetic. The bar should not be so low that reducing theft is considered a success. DISCOs must be transformed from politically compromised entities into professional, performance-driven utilities. As Pakistan enters a new fiscal year with hopes of economic renewal, one message must be clear that recovery will not be possible without root-and-branch reform of the power sector.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
DISCOs cause Rs591b losses, says Leghari
Listen to article Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said on Thursday that power distribution companies (DISCOs) were responsible for electricity theft worth Rs591 billion. During fiscal year 2023-24, 10 government-run DISCOs placed a burden of Rs591 billion on the country and taxpayers. "We have successfully reduced power theft from Rs591 billion to Rs399 billion," Leghari said while addressing a press conference. He said that the Power Division had made significant progress in introducing reforms that resulted in improvement in the power sector, under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "This is the first time in history that the government has reduced such losses through focused reforms," he added. Leghari stated that the government had already ensured transparency in appointing board members. He emphasised the need to inform the public about the scale and reasons of the losses DISCOs were facing. "Had these losses not been suffered, the country could have paid off its debt, initiated development schemes in various areas and used taxpayers' money for national progress," the minister remarked, adding that the prime minister, the entire cabinet and the government's coalition partners were seriously concerned about the losses. Therefore, the government launched a campaign to cut losses and bring improvement in the power sector one year ago. On the prime minister's instructions, the government took the initiative to implement positive governance reforms and ensure that appointments on boards and in companies were made on merit, rather than continuing the long-standing practice of hiring based on personal connections and political recommendations. Owing to those reforms, he said, the government reduced losses from Rs591 billion to Rs399 billion – an objective achieved even before the targeted deadline. Despite facing challenges, the process of reforms will continue. Leghari pointed out that financial figures for the fiscal year ended June 30 were encouraging. He said that two major losses were discovered – the first being when electricity bills of companies could not be collected and the second were technical and non-technical (T&D) losses; when electricity was supplied by DISCOs but was not billed, which was essentially an electricity theft. Out of the total losses of Rs591 billion, Rs315 billion was due to non-recovery of bills. The overall recovery rate of electricity bills was 92.4% last year, which jumped up to 96.6% this year, which was for the first time in history. However, power companies still failed to recover Rs132 billion in bills. He shared that Rs276 billion worth of electricity was stolen last year and DISCOs worked hard to reduce the losses. Some companies succeeded in reducing line losses, resulting in savings of Rs11 billion by curtailing electricity theft. The minister also shared detailed performance of all distribution companies. He said that Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco) performed particularly well and uncovered a massive electricity theft scandal. However, some influential people are now trying to launch inquiries against those who took action against electricity theft. The prime minister, he said, is committed to supporting the officers and staff who are leading the battle for reforms and continuing their efforts to stop theft. He highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that a single furnace-based industrial unit stole more electricity in a month than an entire village did in five years. In the past, action was mostly taken against small consumers, while large-scale theft went unnoticed. This year, he said, the focus would be on controlling large-scale losses and industrial theft, so that the progress made during the past year could continue.
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cabinet meeting approves Rs 3,647 crore for various projects
Chamarajanagara: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that a cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the renowned pilgrimage site of Male Mahadeshwara Hill in Hanur taluk approved an allocation of Rs3,647 crore for various departmental projects. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the Chief Minister began by paying tribute to the victims of a recent terrorist attack, stating, 'Before the cabinet meeting commenced, we honoured those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack. The as-sault on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has been condemned strongly by our government. We must stand united as a nation to eradicate all forms of extremism. A thorough investigation into the failures that led to this incident must be conducted effectively and appropriately.' During the cabinet meeting, discussions were held on 78 matters, culminating in the approval for a total of Rs3,647.62 crore in funding. Key allocations included Rs210 crore to mitigate human-elephant conflict in border districts, Rs315 crore for drinking water projects, and a decision to convert a sub-district hospital in Kollegal into a district hospital with the construction of a 250-bed facility. Additionally, the construction of a taluk hospital in Hanur and the establishment of the Manteswami and Rachappaji Development Authority in Chikkallur were also greenlit. Siddaramaiah further announced that the government would allocate land for a crick-et stadium in Ilawal, Mysore, where an international cricket facility will be constructed by a cricket organization. A funding of Rs40 crore was earmarked for the development of Khadi village industries in Badanavalu. Plans were also discussed for purchasing land for the expansion of the runway at Mysore Airport, and for converting the old Dis-trict Commissioner's office in Mysore into a museum at a cost of Rs37 crore. Furthermore, new tourist facilities are set to be established in Chamarajanagar, along with plans for a drainage system and drinking water arrangements for Chamarajana-gar district, with a Rs15 crore budget allocated for the development of a sports complex in the district. In a response to BJP's criticism, the Chief Minister stated, 'Our government has de-cided to hold cabinet meetings in all four revenue divisions of the state. Previously, a cabinet meeting was held in Kalaburagi, and today we convened in Chamarajanagar. Meetings will also be held in Vijayapura, Belagavi, and Bengaluru divisions at Nandibetta.' Addressing claims made by BJP regarding the government's financial status, Sid-daramaiah remarked, 'BJP spreads falsehoods, claiming there is no money in the government. If there were truly no funds, could we approve projects worth Rs3,600 crore?' The cabinet also approved plans for the development of the memorial site of the illus-trious King Krishna Devaraya in Vijayanagara, ensuring that funds would be released upon receipt of proposals. Answering queries about land ownership concerns raised by the royal family member Pramodadevi Wadiyar in Chamarajanagar, the Chief Min-ister remarked, 'Those who have held land for 60-70 years can be deemed the own-ers. The remaining individuals are not landowners. Ownership changes cannot be lawfully altered.'
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Egg prices witness sharp drop in Pindi
RAWALPINDI: The price of eggs in the open market in Rawalpindi has witnessed a record decline, dropping from Rs315 per dozen to Rs240 per dozen within a week. The Rs75 per dozen decrease has resulted in significant financial losses for thousands of grocery store owners and wholesale egg traders, many of whom had stocked 1,000 to 3,000 cartons in anticipation of the winter season. According to Egg Sellers Union Vice President Asghar Abbasi, the prolonged four-month dry spell in the Rawalpindi division has severely impacted the egg business. Seasonal stalls selling hot soup and broth, which typically boost egg sales, have begun shutting down due to reduced demand. Moreover, the lack of winter rains has led to a record low in seasonal egg purchases, further widening the gap between supply and demand. Abbasi noted that egg prices are expected to rise once the rains begin. However, if dry conditions persist for another two weeks, prices may drop even further, adding to traders' financial woes.
