Federal Minister for Power, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, said that power distribution network was working as normal and there was no major disruption caused by the cyclonic storm Bibarjoy in supply of electricity. The minister was addressing a press conference here on Friday along with Managing Director of National Transmission and Dispatch Company Dr. Rana Jabbar. The cyclone has landed and its severity has been decreasing gradually while supply of electricity was continue as per routine in the most of the areas, Khurram Dastgir said adding that there was no load shedding for 70 percent domestic consumers and industry at the moment. The cyclonic storm Biparjoy did not affect power supply in Karachi except a disruption for four hours that was caused due to issues in supply of LNG to power generation units, he informed and added, but the issues was immediately addressed by provision of 100 mmcfd gas from the national network. The minister sated that on directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a comprehensive strategy was formulated at national level for ensuring safety of people and supply of electricity in vulnerable areas in wake of potential emergency situation due to cyclonic storm Biparjoy. Oover 2000 personnel from different power distribution companies including GEPCO, LESCO, MEPCO and SEPCO were deployed in Southeastern districts of Sindh on emergency basis along with vehicles and necessary equipment, he informed. Sindh government has extended the fullest cooperation in the regard and a close coordination was being maintained among all the stakeholders while technical teams deployed at generation plants and grid stations were on high alert for ensuring electricity supply, the minister said. The minister said that K-E has informed that several measures were taken for safety of citizens which included raising the transformers above the ground, strengthening electricity polls and removing bunches of tangled wires for preventing accidents and loss of lives. The minister while responding to a question said that KE claimed that 70 % areas of the metropolis were receiving round the clock power supply while load management was being carried out in 30% areas due to issues of low recovery and high line losses. Protection of consumers’ rights and interests was our topmost priority and reorganization of K Electric would be done in a transparent and clear manner, he said adding that a committee, led by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, was working to settle the issues between KE, SSGC and government and 90% reconciliation has been achieved so far. Federal government will earmark Rs.171 billion as Tariff Differential Subsidy (TDS) in new financial year to provide relief to citizens of Karachi. Moreover, Rs151 billion were allocated in the budget 2023-24 for other parts of the country including Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and merged ex-FATA districts, he informed. *-*-*-*-*
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