ISLA MABAD - Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar on Monday told the National Assembly that the government has added 3,377 MW of electricity to the national grid since 2008, besides five hydroelectric power plants with capacity of producing 381 MW would be added by 2012-13. Responding to a question in the Lower House regarding steps taken to control electricity loadshedding, the federal minister added that four projects of public sector thermal power plants with capacity of 2,020 MW would also be added within two to three years. Hectic efforts are being made by the government of Pakistan to reduce the loadshedding duration in the country and therefore two-prong policy has been adopted by taking different measures both on supply and demand sides simultaneously that are supply side measures and new power plants, the federal minister told the house during question hour. These power plants include Malakand-III with the generation of 81MW, Attock Gen Limited with 163MW, Atlas Power Project with 219, Engro Power Project with 216, Saif Power Project with 225MW, Orient Power Project 225 MW, Nishat Power Ltd, 200 MW, Nishat (Chunian) Project 200 MW, Sapphire Electric Power 225 MW, Liberty Power Tech. 200 MW, Foundation Power Project Dherki 202 MW, Hub Power Narowal, 225 MW, Halmore Power Project 225 MW, Chashma Nuclear Power Unit-2 (C-2) 300 MW, Khan Khawar HPP 72 MW, Gulf (Rental) 62 MW, Karkay Rental 232 MW, Rental Samundri 60 MW and Naudero-I was producing 45 MW. Responding to a question in the Lower House regarding steps taken to control loadshedding, the federal minister added that four projects of public sector thermal power plants with capacity of 2020 MW would also be added within two to three years. Naveed Qamar said that total power supply from rental power plants to the national system since 1-1-2010 to date was 776.424 MW while the Government was paying its rent on the monthly basis. The minister also said that Neelum-Jhelum Surcharge was being charged from all consumers at the rate of 0.10kw since January 2008 and it would continue till December 2015. He further said that total amount collected till June 2011 in this regard was Rs 17,606,807 million. The amount is levied or charged through electricity bills, he told. Replying to a supplementary question regarding importing electricity from neighboring countries Iran and China, the minister added that Pakistan and Iran were going to sign a contract in this regard under which Iran would provide 1000MW electricity to Pakistan. He informed that Pakistan was already importing 100MW of electricity from Iran. However he added that Pakistan was not going to import electricity from China as there were some geographical restrictions. Meanwhile, in written reply to a question regarding karkey Ship Mounted Rental Power Plant, the minister stated that around Rs 780.00 million was being paid every month to Karkey Ship Mounted Rental Power Plant that was producing 51 MW, on account of Rental Services Fee as per Rental Service Contract (RSC). He added that as per RSC clause 4.5 (m) Fuel Payment Letter of Credit(FPLC) was required to be opened from 20-04-2011 and the worked out value of the FPLC was Rs 5.00 billion approximately. He said that it was contractual obligation for smooth operation of the plant but despite hectic efforts of the Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited and the Ministry of Water and Power no bank offered any terms for the establishment of FPLC in view of excessive exposure of the banks with power sector. He also added that Karkey Rental Power Plant was awarded the contract through international competitive bidding and no corruption or mismanagement was reported so far. Minister for Textile Industry Makhdoom Shahabuddin similarly in a written reply told the House that Gas load shedding for textile sector in Punjab was two days per week and there were careful estimates that potential production impact was between 30-35% loss of textile manufacturing meant for exports across the value chain. He told that Ministry has taken up this matter with relevant authorities. It is stated that since there is an over all shortage of gas and electricity in the country, so all the sector of economy were to feel the affect of this shortfall. However relevant authorities have assured Ministry of Textile Industry that textile sector will be accommodated in every possible way so that minimum effect of this shortage is felt by the textile sector. Earlier, Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Shah, while answering a question about steps taken to reform education system of Deeni Madaris, said that after the 18th Amendment, the subject of Islamic education was devolved to the provinces and now it was provincial subject. He told that Model Deeni Madaris for girls and boys in Islamabad, Sukkur and Karachi were under the federal government. He also added that the government was working on Marasah Reform Policy and the objectives are to register the Madaris, rationalize their syllabi and mainstreaming them. He also added that around 10973 Madaris had been registered under Societies Registration Act 1860. The Minister also said that around 8749 had been registered prior to the promulgation of Ordinance in 2005.