ISLAMABAD, (SANA): The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved two days holiday a week for those industries completely dependent on electricity and gas.
The decision was taken by the federal cabinet in response to the ongoing energy crisis in the country Wednesday. Cabinet meeting held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
After the cabinet Meeting Federal Minister for Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Water & Power Naveed Qamar and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain briefed the media.
Finance minister said that the production of energy has been increased, adding that during cabinet meeting briefing was given regarding energy crisis and government has decided to meet energy crisis.
Cabinet also approved shutdown of the commercial markets after the sunset.
Syed Naveed Qamar said that the chief executives of the electricity companies would have to achieve the targets, adding that the connection of the defaulters would be disconnected after 45 days.
He said that the NEPRA would introduce system of equal increase and decrease in the prices of power distributing companies.
He said it was also decided that the subsidy on the tube wells in Balochistan would continue but the limit of subsidy on the tube well would be fixed.
The proposal for this move will be forwarded to Council of Common Interest (CCI) for a final approval. The CCI’s approval is necessary to take the Punjab on board, as a large number of industrialists who will be affected by the two-day weekend belong to the province.
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif will attend the CCI session where the final decision will be taken.
Prime Minister House sources said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is due to summon a session of the CCI in a couple of days in which the premier will invite members of the CCI to discuss implementing the decision. However, the Karachi business community has already rejected the decision.
The decision will be implemented from October 15 and will be applicable to banks also