LAHORE: Power thefts have become a threat to the survival of the majority of the manufacturers who don’t have an issue with the power tariff hike more than its pilferage done in connivance with the concerned officials, said a business leader.
Though power theft is a recurrent issue yet before the recent increase in power tariff the manufacturers managed to offset its impact by increasing their inefficiencies, said Nabeel Hashmi, a manufacturer of plastic products.
Those who get inputs free of cost or at subsidised rates tend to be inefficient, he believed, saying tariff paying manufacturers don’t get advantage a power thief has.
The recent rise in power tariff by a massive five rupees per unit would benefit the power thieves - in the sectors where electricity is a major input - to offer their products at lower rates, he said.
He said government should increase its efforts to nab power thieves.
Internews
