When high-ups default!
November 16, 2009 ONE of the most telling endorsements of the view that the ruling political set-up in the country has failed to deliver its promised goal of good governance and efficient functioning of the administration can be found in the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s charge sheet against the defaulters of its dues. Among those who have not paid for the electricity they have been consuming, are the country’s highest institutions although some of them have huge funds at their disposal and are often seen indulging in lavish expenditure on questionable ventures. In the backdrop of this default one cannot also ignore the pervasive fact of corruption that costs the exchequer billions of rupees.
President’s Secretariat, Senate, Pakistan Secretariat, 10 government ministries, the Azad Kashmir government and a number of semi-official agencies adorn the defaulters’ list. While the defaulters include both civil and military institutions, Azad Kashmir owes the lion’s share of the total default money. Against a total of Rs3.677 billion, its share comes to a hefty Rs2.81 billion. Next come the CDA with Rs194.56 million, Chaklala Cantonment Board with Rs165.55 and PWD with over Rs100 million. President’s Secretariat has to pay IESCO Rs21.625 million.
If, at a time the country is facing the severest ever power crisis and the federal capital’s electric supply company is deprived of its legitimate dues, one can imagine the seriousness with which the ruling circles take the question of solving the problem that has ruined industry and commerce and, in fact, adversely affected the entire spectrum of society. It is worthwhile noting that while the country suffers due to the shortage of electric power, a number of the defaulting institutions receive uninterrupted supply of power. IESCO has warned that in case of non-payment, it would cut off the supply to the defaulters. The question is: would it be able to stand the pressure of the powerful and go ahead with disconnection? Highly doubtful! In fact, impossible! It can only expect some payment, with promise to clear the dues later.