ECC allows 150MW additional power supply to Karachi, approves Rs1.8bln power subsidy for tribal agencies

ISLAMABAD, May 15 (APP):The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet Wednesday allowed additional supply of 150 MW power through National Grid to K-Electric so as to address power shortage problem in Karachi.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the ECC meeting, which was convened to deliberate upon various proposals and recommendations submitted the Divisions.
The Power Division had moved a summary to seek ECC’s approval to allow additional supply of power to Karachi.
The ECC also approved additional subsidy of Rs1.8 billion to Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO) to supply additional power to seven tribal agencies of ex-Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during the holy month of Ramazan.
The Power Division informed the committee that the government had been paying the electricity bills of the domestic consumers of former tribal agencies through subsidy of Rs1.3 billion per month.
The ECC also acceded to the proposal of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority by granting tax exemption to the projects being constructed under Saudi Fund for Development Grant.
On the occasion, Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research gave a presentation to the Committee, updating it about the availability of wheat stock in the country.
He informed that the wheat procurement process was being conducted smoothly by the provincial government (Punjab) and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO).
The Committee approved the proposed procurement target of wheat crop for the year 2018-19 to the tune of 5.15 million tons with financial limit of Rs.158.5 billion.
On the proposal of Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the ECC waived off demurrage (KPT storage charges) on the consignments of rice to be distributed among the needy people by a non-profit welfare organizations working for the poor and the needy people of the country.
The Committee also approved Technical Supplementary and Supplementary Grants for different Ministries/Divisions.