Regulator imposes Rs26m fine on Fesco for fatalities

Published November 6, 2021
Two boys walk on a wall near high voltage electricity wires. — AFP/File
Two boys walk on a wall near high voltage electricity wires. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The Nati­onal Electric Power Regu­latory Authority (Nepra) on Friday imposed a fine of Rs26 million on Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) on charges of negligence, resulting in fatal incidents during July 2019 to January 2021 period.

In an announcement, the regulator said it had taken notice of reports of 17 deaths in different electrocution incidents during the said period. It constituted a two-member Investigation Committee under Section 27A of Nepra Act 1997 to visit the relevant areas, conduct investigation and ascertain the facts and possible violations of Nepra laws, rules and regulations.

The committee’s report revealed that 10 out of the total 17 fatalities occurred due to Fesco’s negligence. These fatalities included eight Fesco employees and two persons from the general public.

The regulator, therefore imposed a fine of Rs26m on Fesco. It said the company had given compensation of Rs3.5m each to the families of its employees who lost their lives in these electrocution accidents but not to the families of two deceased persons from the general public.

The regulator, therefore, directed Fesco to compensate the families of the deceased from the general public equal to the amount given to its deceased employees’ families and documentary evidence of payment be submitted to Nepra.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...