Govt shouldn’t keep the benefit of reduced oil prices to itself: PEW

Govt asked to pass on benefit of reduced oil prices to people
Increasing tariff twice in two days shows panic in power sector
Masses facing unprecedented inflation should be given relief

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said the government should not pocket benefit of reduced oil prices in the international market and pass on relief to the masses.
The masses facing an unprecedented price hike deserve some relief, therefore, petroleum prices should be reduced in line with the recommendations of OGRA, it said.
Every government claims that oil prices are linked to the international market but when prices slide the benefit is not passed on to the masses. Rather, the government silently increases levy which keeps prices intact but increase the income of the government, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Oil prices are coming down but the government increased electricity tariff twice in two days putting additional burden of around Rs 125 billion on masses which is amazing, he said.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that the electricity sector will continue to show heavy losses even if the price of electricity is doubled because it is infected with corruption and inefficiency while the government seems not interested in reforms.
No steps have been taken to contain corruption or losses in the power sector while privatization of the ailing power sector is not a priority for the government, he added.
He noted that circular debt is the outcome of incompetence and corruption in the power sector while the government finds it easy to finance the power sector mismanagement by putting the burden on the masses.
Actual line losses in the power sector came in at 18.3 percent for which honest consumers who are paying their bills regularly are penalized.
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In: UncategorizedAuthor: pakistaneconomywatch