What will senior FIA officers posted in power companies do – Business & Economy

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has deputed senior officers of 10 power distribution companies (DISCOs) to provide support in anti-theft and recovery campaign while the energy minister issued a stern warning to stop theft by April 23, 2024. is given

The Business Recorder quoted sources as saying that the FIA ​​has deployed its senior officers along with the CEOs of the five discos to “strengthen the management at the discos” to give an impression to their employees that their Activities or collusion with power thieves are being closely monitored.

It should be noted that regarding the recovery, Minister of Energy Sardar Owais Khan Leghari has expressed his views that the recovery in 6 months was only 5.5 billion rupees, whereas the caretaker minister and the power division had claimed a recovery of 89 billion rupees.

It may be recalled that the same exaggerated recovery figures were shared with the IMF team that visited Pakistan recently.

According to FIA on October 11, 2023 on the recommendation of the concerned Additional Directors Generals (ADGs) to eliminate the illegal collusion of the officers of the concerned DISCOs with consumers in electricity theft. Officers were attached to the CEOs of the discos in the anti-theft and recovery drive Is.

Sources said the CEOs have also been directed to ensure that the certificate provided by April 23, 2024 is correct and as per ground situation.

The Federal Minister warned that in case of any crime, inconsistency or conflicting evidence during the investigation, strict legal and disciplinary action will be taken against such culprits/defaulters/officials.

In his letter, the federal minister said that the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against power theft reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to ensure a fair and transparent power distribution system.

He had said that the anti-theft campaign started on September 7, 2023 and so far only 5.5 billion rupees have been collected while 342 employees have been suspended and 27 have been arrested.

He added that these efforts are not consistent with actual theft and loss data and more efforts are needed in all DISCOs, especially the worst performing DISCOs (Hesco). Sepco, Pesco, Cisco and Tesco, among which these DISCOs are losing about Rs 438 billion against the billing of Rs 723 billion.

The federal minister had further said that this situation is neither acceptable nor financially viable for the power sector.

It is also noted that the relatively better performing DISCOs (ISCO, LESCO, Fesco GAPCO and MAPCO) are also incurring a loss of Rs 151 billion against a billing of Rs 3,058 billion.

In this alarming situation, discos need to redouble their efforts to recover Rs 589 billion from delinquent consumers due to theft and other irregularities. Such practices are not only harmful but also burdening the distribution system.