Latest news with #Rs22
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
KCCI urges PM to release Rs23b power subsidy
Listen to article President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure the release of the long-overdue Rs23 billion relief in electricity bills on incremental consumption. In a statement released on Friday, he called for the inclusion of this relief in the upcoming federal budget for FY2025-26, lamenting that although it was allocated in earlier budgets, it has yet to be disbursed — affecting only Karachi's industrial sector, while the rest of the country has received the benefit. As per the statement, Bilwani wrote a letter to the prime minister, acknowledging the government's steps to support the business community but expressed deep concern over the continued delay in providing the subsidy for the period from July 1, 2021, to October 21, 2023. He noted that Karachi's industries remain under immense financial pressure due to administrative and legal complications. He stated that the total subsidy for the period stands at Rs33 billion, of which Rs23 billion is undisputed and should have already been disbursed. Funds were earmarked in previous budgets — Rs22 billion in FY2021-22, Rs13 billion in FY2022-23, and Rs7 billion in FY2023-24 — but the subsidy has not reached recipients due to procedural delays involving K-Electric. "K-Electric (KE) operated without a stay order for nearly nine months yet failed to pass on the subsidy to consumers," said Bilwani, adding that NEPRA did not enforce compliance, and legal obstacles have dragged the issue. He pointed out that KE's appeals were dismissed by a tribunal in July 2024, but the matter remains stalled due to a stay order from the Islamabad High Court. KCCI has urged immediate verification of the figures by the Power Division and NEPRA, stressing that the verified subsidy should be reflected in the upcoming budget. Crucially, KCCI proposed that the undisputed Rs23 billion be paid directly to industrial consumers instead of routing it through KE to avoid further delays. "This is not just a legal obligation; it is a matter of economic justice and national interest," Bilwani said.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM urged to expedite Rs23bn power bill relief
KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani has appealed the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure that the long-pending relief of Rs23 billion in the electricity bills on incremental consumption is released without further delay by duly incorporating provision in the forthcoming federal budget for FY 2025–26. Despite being allocated in previous budgets, the relief has yet to be disbursed, causing severe financial stress to the Karachi's industrial sector only as this relief has been provided to the rest of the country. In a formal letter addressed to the Prime Minister, President KCCI acknowledged the government's efforts to address challenges faced by the business community and improve Pakistan's economic landscape. However, he expressed grave concern over the delay in releasing the subsidy for incremental electricity consumption from July 1, 2021, to October 21, 2023, stressing that Karachi's industries continue to bear the brunt of administrative and legal setbacks. He pointed out that the total subsidy amount for the period is Rs33 billion, of which Rs23 billion is undisputed and should have been disbursed. Budgetary allocations were already made in FY 2021-22 (Rs22 billion), FY 2022-23 (Rs13 billion), and FY 2023-24 (Rs7 billion), but the funds have not reached the intended recipients due to procedural and legal delays involving K-Electric. 'K-Electric operated without a stay order for nearly nine months yet failed to pass on the subsidy to consumers,' said Bilwani, pointing to the lack of enforcement by NEPRA and subsequent legal hurdles that have prolonged the crisis. He added that despite the dismissal of KE's appeals by a Tribunal in July 2024, the matter stands stalled due to a stay order granted by the Islamabad High Court. KCCI emphasized the need for immediate verification of the subsidy figures by the Power Division and NEPRA, urging the government to ensure that the verified amount is reflected in the upcoming federal budget. More importantly, KCCI proposed that the undisputed Rs23 billion be released directly to industrial consumers rather than through KE, in order to prevent further delays. 'This is not just a matter of legal obligation; it is a question of economic justice and national interest,' Bilwani stated. 'Ensuring that Karachi's industries receive this long-overdue relief is essential for sustaining industrial operations and maintaining economic stability across Pakistan', he added. Jawed Bilwani hoped that the Prime Minister will intervene swiftly to resolve the issue, restore confidence in government policy, and deliver the much-needed support to Karachi's industrial backbone. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
After 10 years of delay, Pimpri Chinchwad civic body moves to set up fire station in Bhosari MIDC
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has floated a tender to set up a dedicated fire station in Bhosari MIDC, more than a decade after local industries put forward a demand and consistently followed up with authorities. A senior civic official said the project, as per tender amount, will cost around Rs22 crore and it will be completed within two years of a work order being issued. "The tender was floated on May 19. We have received bids from five companies and they will be opened in a day or two." Currently, PCMC relies on Sant Tukaramnagar fire station or Tata Motors' Pimpri unit in the event of a blaze in industrial units. The new fire station will come up on a 4,000 square meter plot allocated by MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) to the civic body. Other than advanced machinery specifically designed to tackle industrial fires, the facility will have staff quarters and a parking lot for fire vehicles. Sandeep Belsare, president of Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association, said that more than 3,800 units legally operate across the twin cities. "We pursued the demand of an exclusive fire station with almost every industries minister since 2010, but only received assurances." Nearly 15% to 20% of the industries in Pimpri Chinchwad deal in polymers and chemicals — materials that pose a higher fire risk, he said. "Two years ago, the industries minister, Uday Samant, assured us that the officials concerned were instructed to complete the formalities to set up a fire station within a year, but no concrete action followed. Now that PCMC has initiated the tendering process, we hope it is carried through. " An official from PCMC's fire brigade department said while some existing fire stations possess advanced machinery to handle industrial fires, the new facility will allow the deployment of more advanced equipment and skilled manpower. "The responsibility to set up such a facility lies with MIDC, which issues NoCs and collects related charges from industries. However, PCMC has now taken up the initiative to proceed on its own. " PCMC faces a shortage of firefighting personnel. Earlier this year, it began the process to recruit 150 firefighters, but the drive is yet to be completed. The addition of a new fire station is expected to further burdern the department's available manpower, officials said. Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has floated a tender to set up a dedicated fire station in Bhosari MIDC, more than a decade after local industries put forward a demand and consistently followed up with authorities. A senior civic official said the project, as per tender amount, will cost around Rs22 crore and it will be completed within two years of a work order being issued. "The tender was floated on May 19. We have received bids from five companies and they will be opened in a day or two." Currently, PCMC relies on Sant Tukaramnagar fire station or Tata Motors' Pimpri unit in the event of a blaze in industrial units. The new fire station will come up on a 4,000 square meter plot allocated by MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) to the civic body. Other than advanced machinery specifically designed to tackle industrial fires, the facility will have staff quarters and a parking lot for fire vehicles. Sandeep Belsare, president of Pimpri Chinchwad Small Industries Association, said that more than 3,800 units legally operate across the twin cities. "We pursued the demand of an exclusive fire station with almost every industries minister since 2010, but only received assurances." Nearly 15% to 20% of the industries in Pimpri Chinchwad deal in polymers and chemicals — materials that pose a higher fire risk, he said. "Two years ago, the industries minister, Uday Samant, assured us that the officials concerned were instructed to complete the formalities to set up a fire station within a year, but no concrete action followed. Now that PCMC has initiated the tendering process, we hope it is carried through. " An official from PCMC's fire brigade department said while some existing fire stations possess advanced machinery to handle industrial fires, the new facility will allow the deployment of more advanced equipment and skilled manpower. "The responsibility to set up such a facility lies with MIDC, which issues NoCs and collects related charges from industries. However, PCMC has now taken up the initiative to proceed on its own. " PCMC faces a shortage of firefighting personnel. Earlier this year, it began the process to recruit 150 firefighters, but the drive is yet to be completed. The addition of a new fire station is expected to further burdern the department's available manpower, officials said.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Weekly SPI down 0.29pc
ISLAMABAD: The SPI for the current week ended May 22, decreased by 0.29 percent. Major decrease has been observed in the prices of chicken (7.26 per cent), onions (5.43 per cent), garlic (2.71 per cent), LPG (2.44 per cent), potatoes (0.95 per cent), mustard oil (0.80 per cent), diesel (0.78 per cent), masoor (0.46 per cent), cooking oil (0.14per cent), rice IRRI-6/9 (0.09per cent), firewood (0.06 per cent), and vegetable ghee 2.5kg and sugar (0.05 per cent) each, says Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The year-on-year trend depicts an increase of 1.35per cent, ladies sandal (55.62 per cent), chicken (45.12 per cent), moong (30.79 per cent), powdered milk (24.01 per cent), bananas (22.43 per cent), sugar (22.12 per cent), eggs (21.52 per cent), pulse gram (20.70 per cent), beef (17.56 per cent), vegetable ghee 2.5kg (13.86per cent), LPG (13.05per cent), and vegetable ghee 1kg (12.76per cent). On the other hand, the items prices of which decreasedinclude; onions (54.93 per cent), potatoes (30.46 per cent), garlic (29.43 per cent), electricity charges for Q1 (29.40per cent), tea Lipton (17.93per cent), wheat flour (16.63 per cent), maash (16.03 per cent), tomatoes (14.03 per cent), chilies powder (12.30 per cent), rice IRRI-6/9 (8.50per cent), masoor (7.64 per cent) and petrol (7.43 per cent). During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 13 (25.49per cent) items increased, 14 (27.45per cent) items decreased and 24 (47.06per cent) items remained stable. The SPI for the consumption group up to Rs17,732, Rs17,732-Rs22,888, Rs22,889-Rs29,517, Rs29,518-Rs44,175 and above Rs44,175 decreased by 0.26per cent, 0.27per cent, 0.26per cent, 0.28per cent and 0.30per cent respectively. The items prices of which decreased during the period under review include, chicken farm broiler (live) 1kg7.26 per cent, onions 1kg 5.43 per cent, garlic (lehsun) 1kg 2.71 per cent, LPG 11.67 kg cylinder each 2.44 per cent, potatoes 1kg 0.95 per cent, mustard oil (average quality) 1kg 0.80 per cent, hi-speed diesel per litre 0.78 per cent, masoor (washed) 1kg 0.46 per cent, cooking oil Dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each 0.14 per cent. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Repeat offender held for robbery
Pune: The Talegaon MIDC police have arrested a 20-year-old repeat offender and detained his minor accomplice in connection with a robbery that occurred around 10 days ago. The incident involved theft of Rs22,000 in cash and a cellphone from a worker returning home after work. Police recovered some of the stolen money and the motorcycle used by the three suspects. The third suspect remains at large. The victim, a 25-year-old resident of Varale village in Maval, had filed a complaint with the Talegaon MIDC police on May 10. Sub-inspector Vivek Govarkar said the complainant had gone for catering work at Bhose village in Khed taluka on May 9. In the early hours of May 10, he was dropped off at Talegaon Chowk in Chakan by the caterer's vehicle. "While the victim was waiting for transport to reach home, the bike-borne suspects stopped near him around 1.30 am and offered him a lift. After driving for some distance, they stopped the motorcycle and assaulted the victim with a stone and forcibly took his cellphone's PIN and UPI password," he said. The next morning Rs22,000 was transferred from the victim's bank account to a UPI ID. "We traced the UPI account holder in Khed taluka and took Pankesh Jadhav (20) into custody. During interrogation, Jadhav revealed the names of his minor accomplices," he said.
