ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) imposed on Monday a fine of Rs1 million on the Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA), also known as the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), for failing to provide information needed for monthly fuel price adjustments within the stipulated time.

“NTDC/CPPA has deliberately violated the authority’s directions regarding the submission of fuel price adjustment data,” said a statement issued by Nepra.

It said the authority was required to make monthly fuel price adjustments (FPA) within the first seven days and the CPPA needed to provide relevant information by the third day of every month.

Despite repeated instructions, the statement said, the CPPA did not meet the requirements.

Nepra sought an explanation for non-compliance and finding CPPA’s response unsatisfactory issued a show-cause notice asking why a penalty of up to Rs100m might not be imposed. After receiving a response, it decided to provide an opportunity of hearing, but the CPPA’s plea that it had always tried to meet the authority’s deadlines was again considered unsatisfactory.

The metering data of all common delivery points are usually available at midnight on the last day of each month and, therefore, any delay in compiling the information ‘is not justified’.

Nepra also observed that the date for submission had been fixed after consultation with the CPPA and, therefore, the latter was bound to meet the deadline.

Despite repeated calls and messages, there was no response from the CPPA spokesman, retired Col Sajjad Rana.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2016