People get extra power charges bills

Minster for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf could not give satisfactory answer to the question of Senator Komali. He said that the government was giving subsidy on the electricity to the people.

About the bills for extra charges, he said that in this regard an inquiry would be conducted. He said strict action would be taken against those officers who were found guilty.

The Opposition and treasury members demanded that the issue of minimum charges should be referred to a standing committee of water and power. The Presiding Officer Rukhsana Zuberi referred the issue to the standing committee on the demand of the House.

Replying to another question, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the country was facing power shortage of 4,000 MW which would be overcome at the end of next year.

When asked why the power shortage was not reduced in spite of heavy rains in the country, the Minister said that water level in Tarbela Dam had risen to the required level, while the level of Mangla Dam was still low due to less rains in its catchment areas.