Several electricity relief measures introduced under the Prime Minister’s affordable electricity package are set to expire by the end of this month, sources have confirmed.
Among the key subsidies ending soon is the Rs. 1.55 per unit relief granted under the third quarter adjustment of the previous financial year. This is after the previous decision of a relief of Rs. 4.51 per unit, which had incorporated a special Rs. 3.61 per unit cut to Karachi based electricity consumers.
In addition to these, two other subsidies had already expired in June: the Rs. 1.90 per unit relief under the second quarter adjustment and the Rs. 1.71 per unit reduction in the petroleum levy.
Another relief measure, offering 90 paisa per unit under the Retained Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) — applicable only to DISCO consumers — has also come to an end.
At present, electricity consumers continue to receive partial benefits under ongoing quarterly adjustments and a reduced petroleum levy. However, many of these concessions are in the process of being phased out.
On April 3, the Prime Minister had announced a Rs. 7.41 per unit cut in electricity rates for domestic users. As of this month, the federal government has reduced the base tariff by Rs. 1.16 per unit and decreased the monthly adjustment for DISCO consumers by 50 paisa per unit.
These developments indicate that the electric power bills could be starting to increase again as the earlier mentioned relief packages will keep on expiring.
