Govt despite its economic difficulties working to provide every possible relief to people in electricity bills: Muhammad Hashim Notezai

ISLAMABAD, Sep 04 (SABAH): Minister of State for Energy Muhammad Hashim Notezai says the government despite its economic difficulties has been working to provide every possible relief to people in electricity bills.

In an interview with official media, Muhammad Hashim Notezai said Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has exempted households consuming electricity up to 300 units in addition to earlier announced 200 units. After this step, 75 percent of the consumers have been exempted from fuel charges adjustment.

The Minister of State said he will suggest the Prime Minister to waive-off electricity bills of the people in flood-hit areas for one year or at least for a few months to provide them maximum relief. Any decision in this regard will be taken by the government after due deliberations and consultations.

Muhammad Hashim Notezai said the Prime Minister has emphasized to exploit the solar potential of the country to the maximum to produce cheaper electricity. A recent meeting chaired by the Prime Minister has given go-ahead for execution of 10,000 megawatts solar energy project to reduce the import bill of costly diesel and furnace oil.

He said the Prime Minister has stressed upon the authorities that electricity should be generated through solar instead of imported fuel, which would help save billions of dollars.

Replying to a question, the Minister of State for Energy said there is no restriction to start producing solar energy at individual level and extra energy could be sold to national grid.

Muhammad Hashim Notezai said the government will fulfill its responsibility by providing all out help to flood affected people across the country, including Balochistan.

He said NDMA and PDMA Balochistan collectively arranged 30,000 tents for flood hit populace of the province. In addition, he said, we provided food supplies to around 45,000 people. He said more than 50,000 tents and over 80,000 food rations will also be distributed among people in the province in the coming weeks.

Muhammad Hashim Notezai said we have raised the appeal for help at all international forums and to our friends internationally. He said work is underway to repair and rehabilitate damaged power infrastructure in Sindh and Balochistan. He said 27 grids in Balochistan have been impacted and, engineers and technicians have been working round the clock to restore these.

The Minister of State urged the people to keep vigilant and avoid touching electrical appliances in deluged areas. He advised people not to construct their houses and buildings near rivers and streams. He also called for setting up dams, big and small, for water conservation as well as avoiding the risk of floods.