Power tariff likely to be raised by seven paisa

Author: Agencies

Power companies on Saturday submitted an application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking seven paisa rise in the electricity prices under fuel adjustment mechanism. They took a stance that fuel expense was Rs5.18 throughout the June whereas consumers were charged Rs5.11 for it. They added that to match and adjust the fuel price, seven paisa should be increased for power tariff. Experts said that owing to the depreciation of rupee, changing rates of fuel including coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the international market, the production cost of electricity has increased. Experts also warned about the possibility of further increase in the rates of electricity in future. NEPRA has set the hearing on August 6 to discuss the proposal of the power companies.