Summary The interest cost due to late payment to production companies is also paid by the people
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal government on Wednesday has been reported to be charging electricity customers with more than seven different kinds of taxes despite claims of people friendly tariff.
It has been revealed that customers were charged general sales tax (GST at least three times. The government that claimed to providing relief to the people is charging 51 percent GST instead of 17 percent. The customers are charged under fuel adjustment and production in addition to GST.
The relief given by Nepra also entails GST. At least Rs 5.5 billion are snatched out of customers’ pockets every month under Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge. The customers are also made to pay Rs 0.10 and Rs 0.43 per unit for Neelum-Jehlum Surcharge and Financing Cost Surcharge.
It is not all as the interest cost due to late payment to production companies is also paid by the people and not the government. This is charged at cost of Rs 0.30 per unit under the name of Equalization Surcharge.
The electricity bills also have PTV fees of Rs 60 and Rs 1.5 of Excise Duty.
The government further squeezes more money from people under Tariff Rationalization Surcharge.
