APTMA demands revival of subsidised electricity tariff
Business
The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has supported APTMA’s demands
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has demanded the government to reinstate the subsidised tariff for electricity.
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance was held under the chairmanship of Saleem Mandviwalla, during the meeting the APTMA stakeholders expressed concerns over the exclusion of subsidy for the industrial sector in the new budget.
The delegation demanded that, 40 billion rupees should be allocated for gas supply to the textile industry, and another 64 billion rupees should be earmarked for electricity supply at competitive rates in the budget.
APTMA spokesperson, while demanding the reinstatement of the electricity tariff at 9 cents per unit, stated that currently, the electricity tariff for industries is 19.99 rupees per unit, and in case of no subsidy on electricity tariffs and gas provision, the anticipated loss due to further reduction in exports will scale up to 4-5 billion dollars next year.
APTMA mentioned that the overall exports have plunged from 31.5 billion dollars to 27 billion dollars this year as compared to the previous year, recording a reduction of over 3 billion dollars.
APTMA authorities warned that if the government does not meet their demands, they will shut the industry down and protest against the non-cooperation. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has supported APTMA’s demands.
