KARACHI, Oct 13: Rejecting the recent increase in power tariff, members of the City Council suggested on Monday that the city government set up its own power plants at the town level to provide the citizens with electricity at cheaper rates rather than depending on the Karachi Electric Supply Company.

They further suggested that a committee comprising experts be formed to prepare a feasibility report and for this purpose funds be allocated in the annual budget.

The suggestion for separate power plants came both from treasury and opposition leaders during a debate on the recent increase in power rates.

The emergency council meeting was specially called by convener Nasreen Jalil on Saturday to discuss the economic implications of the decision on socio-economic life of the citizens of Karachi. The debate continued on Monday.

Several members of the house took part in the debate and expressed their views on the current electricity situation in the city. They described the recent hike in electricity charges as horrible, saying that it was beyond the means of the common man to pay huge electricity bills.

However, some members welcomed the government’s decision advising the KESC not to charge arrears from April to August 2008. Earlier, the utility had been allowed to pass the burden on to the consumers from April 1.

But several members insisted that the government should withdraw the notification as it was not in the interest of the people of Karachi, who were already faced with multifarious problems due to a surge in the prices of commodities.

The demand for setting up separate power plants was made by Haq Parast panel member Mazhar Ali. He suggested that the city government instead of depending on the KESC for electricity needs should prepare plans to set up its own turbines in the city and supply electricity at cheaper rates on the pattern of developed countries.

Mr Ali’s suggestion was hailed by both sides of the house with repeated thumping of the desk.

The treasury member also suggested that for this purpose the city could be divided into various zones where these power plants could be established. He said even the private sector could be invited by creating a healthy competitive atmosphere.

Responding to the demand of the treasury member, Mohammad Islam suggested that these turbines should be in all the 18 towns of the city and a special allocation be earmarked for all towns for this purpose.

The opposition suggested that the members must not sit idle but challenge the decision of the KESC in a court of law.

“We are facing a horrible situation and we must take the issue seriously as it will have a direct bearing on our future,” the opposition member remarked.

He also suggested that all members of the council stage a rally on M.A. Jinnah Road to force the government to withdraw its decision on the recent hike in power tariff.

Taking the floor, opposition leader Juman Darwan of the Awam Dost panel told the house that the PPP government had taken serious notice of the recent increase in electricity charges.

In support of his argument, he pointed to the decision of the government directing the KESC not to charge the arrears for the last five months.

He dispelled the impression that the PPP was not interested in the development of Karachi, saying that the city equally belonged to all citizens.

On a point of order, leader of the house Asif Siddiqui insisted that the members instead of wasting time on petty issues must focus on the main issue and make practical suggestions for its solution. He accused the opposition of trying to score political points on the issue.

Treasury leader Arshad Qureshi said it was the Haq Parast leadership which had always raised issues of public interest in the national and provincial assemblies and the city council.

Rejecting the increase in the charges of electricity, treasury member Ahsanul Haq Siddiqui suggested that the city be declared as a calamity-stricken area.

Opposition member Ibrahim Mughal demanded that house members stage a protest rally in front of the Karachi Press Club to highlight the importance of the issue. He also suggested that the government take over the KESC immediately.

UC Nazim from Orangi Akram Siddiqui demanded the abolition of the “kunda system”, alleging that the users of that system paid Rs200 per month to corrupt officials for an unlimited power consumption.

Opposition member Kulsoom Shama, treasury members including Sajid Ali and Yunus Quershi also took part in the debate and demanded the withdrawal of the new electricity charges.

Earlier, when the house resumed its proceedings, treasury leader Abdul Jalil on a point of order showed a picture of vacant opposition benches published in an English-language newspaper, saying that it clearly indicated that how much the opposition members were interested in house business where debate on an important issue was in progress.

The remarks of Mr Jalil created uproar in opposition benches. On a point of order, opposition leader Saeed Ghani explained that the pictures were taken when the house was yet to start its proceedings.

He advised the treasury benches not to exploit the petty issues for minor political gains, warning that they would pay the treasury in the same coin if it continued with that policy.

Treatment plant