Friday, May 29, 2009
By Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: The Musharraf-Shaukat power theft scandal has blown into a major investigation by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which has summoned the principal accounting officer of the
Ministry of Water and Power to share details of electricity connections to all farmhouses at Chak Shahzad.
In a related move, the Pepco has launched a countrywide campaign against power theft and loss of revenue to its distribution companies (DISCOs).
According to an announcement of the National Assembly secretariat, the PAC chairman, while taking notice of The News reports on the power scam in Chak Shahzad farmhouses, has sought a comprehensive report from the water and power secretary about the provision of power tariff D-2(1) at the residence of former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
The PAC has also summoned the water and power secretary in its next meeting and has been asked to explain details of the power tariff on which the farm houses at Chak Shahzad were provided with electricity.
The News has recently unearthed Chak Shahzad farmhouses scam that showed misuse of subsidised and discounted tariff meant for agriculture purposes by the powerful and mighty for their residential use.
The PAC may direct Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) to recover from the former president amount that he saved during the last few years because of wrong application of tariff.
In a rejoinder, Musharrafs architect has already confirmed that the retired general had been using D-2(1) tariff since 2003.
Meanwhile, in an official press release issued here on Thursday, Pepco also announced launching of its campaign against power theft.
The Pepco release said a campaign has been launched in the print media, requesting the public to inform about consumers indulging in theft of electricity to the deputy manager (operation) concerned, whose office number and cell number are printed on the electricity bills. It said the information against electricity stealers can be communicated to director-general (EM&C) on his fax No: 042-9202637 and e-mail address:
pepco_emc@yahoo.com.
The release said those providing information against electricity stealers will also be rewarded with a percentage from the recovery of detection bill realised from consumers. Furthermore, it warned that if any DISCO official was found involved in this criminal act, he will also be taken to task and drastic action will follow.
Source:
PAC takes notice of power theft scandal