Industrial sector urges Nepra to dismiss govt request

HAMID WALEED

LAHORE: The industrial sector urged the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to dismiss the federal government’s request of adding subsidy and surcharges as part of the tariff of power distribution companies (DISCOs).

A letter addressed to the NEPRA authority has further requested to adjourn public hearing on government’s application fixed for March 13, (today).

It has been pointed out that the federal government has filed the request after a lapse of over four months which is time barred. Mentioning the Limitation Act, the letter said every suit instituted, appeal preferred, and application made after the period of limitation shall be dismissed.

The letter added that the government’s request does not contain any reasons of delay and hence merits dismissal.

It further added that the contents of federal government’s request for the calculations of Tariff Rationalization Surcharge (TR) are not legible at all. Therefore, no comments/objections can be made forthwith, it stressed.

Furthermore, the industry circles have pointed out that the subject matter has been issued on March 8, 2018 and received by them on March 9, while both 10th and 11th March were official holidays therefore it was not possible to file comments/objections in just one working day.

The letter said a decision in haste would be against the spirit of the Article 10(a) of the Constitution which stipulates fair trial and due process.