The government is preparing to present the much-awaited Electricity Bill to the Federal Parliament within the next few days. A meeting of the Legislative Management Committee today endorsed the Bill and it has been presented to the Council of Ministers for a final approval.
Once the document is passed by the Cabinet, the government will table it in the Federal Parliament.
The Bill was the concern of private sector energy developers who have been long demanding the government introduce it.
Though the government had already presented it to the parliament, it could not be further executed due to the remaining short term of the federal parliament. It was withdrawn from the parliament on September 16, 2022.
Though the government attempted to introduce the Bill in the form of an ordinance bearing in mind the short term of the parliament ahead, it had been possible.
During his unofficial meeting with media persons at his office on Thursday, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said the bill would be presented to the parliament soon. As he said, the overall development of the energy sector, power trade and the rise in domestic production have been prioritised in the Bill. To date, the domestic energy industry functions as per the Electricity Act, 2049 BS.
Stakeholders concerned were advocating for revising it to make it compatible with time.
Private energy entrepreneurs say that they face constraints to deal with the business due to the Act dating back to thirty years. Similarly, the Minister said works to finalise a 12-year strategic plan neared the final phase. The plan aims to promote the overall development of the energy sector.
Despite expected progress in the electricity sector, quality and reliable supply chain is still awaited in absence of effective mechanisms for power transmission and distribution. ---
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