Power Division terms waiver of electricity, gas bills by Sindh govt unconstitutional
The country's Power and Gas departments are under the jurisdiction of the federal government
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The power division has issued a clarification regarding Sindh government s decision to waive electricity and gas bills terming the provincial government s move as unconstitutional.
According to the Power Division s notification, the country’s Power and Gas departments are under the jurisdiction of the federal government and the provincial government cannot legislate in their matters. It said that the federal government is fully aware of the impact coronavirus is having on the public.
The notification further said that the government has launched ‘Ehsaas Program’ to provide relief to the people and it has already laid out how the government will facilitate people regarding electricity and gas.
The notification of the Power Division asks the Sindh government to provide additional relief to the people using its resources, the power division maintains the right to collect bills on installments from people as per the requirement.
To recall, the Sindh government has drafted the Coronavirus Emergency Relief Ordinance, according to which the electricity bills up to 260 units will be waived off while 25% will be paid on bills of 261 to 350 units usage and 50% will be paid on bills of 351 to 450 units usage.
According to the draft, coronavirus-affected segments will be given economic relief. For commercial areas, shops with rent less than Rs 50,000 will be exempt from any rent payment, shops with rent less than Rs 100,00 will only pay 50% of their rent and in case the rent is more than Rs 100,000, the full amount will have to be paid. However, if the owner of the property is a widow, senior citizen or a disabled person, full rent will have to be payed regardless of the amount.
According to the Coronavirus Emergency Relief Ordinance, 20% fee-deduction has been mandated on all private schools and they will not be allowed to charge the reduced 20% fee under any other justification. The ordinance will also be applicable to all utility service organizations operating within the boundaries of Sindh.
The Law Department will send the Sindh Ordinance draft to the Governor for approval. The Ordinance was drafted under Article 128 of the Constitution of Pakistan and is slated to come into force from April 1.
