Govt nods repealing 'Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act'

Considering the need to ensure purchase and supply of electricity and fuel through transparent and competitive processes in the public interest, the government has decided to repeal the "Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010".

Subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the draft of the ordinance was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council on Wednesday (20 November).

This decision was made due to widespread corruption and mismanagement associated with the power generation contracts under Section 6 of the act, as well as a High Court ruling on 14 November declaring sections 6(2) and 9 of the act as illegal, reads a press statement.

Section 9 of the Act says no decision or activity committed or taken under this act can be questioned in court, while section 6(2) of the act says that any planning or proposal related to the buying or investment decisions has to be approved by the energy minister and sent to the cabinet committee for approval after communicating and bargaining with one or more institutions following Section 7 of the Act.