Afghanistan Times
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Tariff increased by 25pc in 15 provinces to recover losses
By Akhtar M. Nikzad-KABUL: The state-run power distribution company announced Sunday that the cost of electricity would increase by 25 per cent in 15 provinces, underling fall of Afghani against the US dollar as major reason.
The electricity cost two Afghanis per kilowatt, which would jump up to 2.5 Afghanis for per kilowatt.
“Last year, we lost around $17 million due to fall of Afghani against dollar,” the power company spokesman Wahidullah Tawhidi said.
“If we face with such loss this year, we would bankrupt. Therefore, we boost the cost of electricity 25 percent.”
He said that the cost of electricity would rise in the provinces of Kabul, Baghlan, Nangarhar, Kapisa, Jawzjan, Laghman, Herat, Kunduz, Balkh, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Faryab and Nimroz.
He added that the price of electricity would increase furthermore if the value of Afghan keeps falling against dollar.
“25 percent increase in the price of electricity would be implementable over all customers including government administrations, private sector and homes,” he remarked.
Earlier, the parliament had approved the electricity services’ law. According to the law, the power company is mandated to collect the consumption of electricity from customers monthly.
Some people criticize the payment of electricity bill in every two months, saying that it has a lot of damage for people.
The power is purchased from Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at a cost of around $270 million yearly.
