Summary The government has imposed new surcharge to meet conditions of the IMF, say sources
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Ministry for Water and Power on Friday has announed a raise in the electricity price by Rs 60 paisas/unit in name of equalisation surcharge.
According to the notification issued by the ministry, the price has been increased to pay dues to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Now the customers all over the country would collectively be paying additional at least Rs 4 billion to Rs 6 billion every month.
According to the sources, the government has imposed the new surcharge to meet the conditions of the International Monitory Fund (IMF).
The additional amount collected at the end of the month from the customers would be added to the Universal Obligation Fund.
An other IMF condition demands that the gas price be increased around 10 percent to 64 percent and the government would impose the new tariff from January 1.
According to the Ministry for Petroleum, the gas price would be increased at least 53 percent for the industrial customers while for the commercial customers 18 percent. For the fertilizer factories, at least 64 percent whereas the gas price would be increased by 30 percent for the captive power plants.
The domestic customers would have to pay at least ten percent to 16 percent more for the gas. The final approval for the price hike would be given by the Prime Minister (PM).
