NEPRA imposes Rs13 million fine on PESCO
Last updated on: 12 January,2021 06:18 am
PESCO was fined on charges of negligence which resulted in 26 electrocution-led fatalities.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs13 million on Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) on charges of negligence which resulted in 26 electrocution-led fatalities during the July-December period in 2019, Dunya News reported.
In a press statement issued on Monday, NEPRA said that due to at least 26 reports of deaths due to electrocution during the above period it constituted a two members investigation committee, under Section 27A of NEPRA Act 1997.
The investigation committee’s report revealed that 14 out of the total 26 fatalities occurred on part of PESCO’s negligence, said a press release issued here on Monday.
Therefore, the authority issued a show cause notice to PESCO under Section 27B of the NEPRA Act, 1997 and later gave an opportunity of hearing to the company.
Based on the evidence available on record, submissions of PESCO and relevant provisions of the laws, rules and regulations, the authority concluded that the PESCO has failed to discharge its statutory obligations to maintain safety standards as laid down in the relevant Code and Manual.
Further, PESCO failed to report fatalities immediately to the authority in a prescribed manner as envisaged under NEPRA Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules, 2005.
The authority has therefore, imposed a fine of Rs13 million on PESCO and has also directed PESCO to compensate the bereaved families and that the details of such compensation shall be shared with the authority in due course of time.