ECC approves Rs15bn in favour of ECP for FY23

• Out of Rs15bn, ECC said Rs5bn will be released immediately.
• ECC also approves base tariff for electric tube wells at Rs13/kWH.
• Committee approved Rs2bn grant for flood-related media campaigns.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved Rs15 billion in favour of the Election Commission of Pakistan for the ongoing fiscal year 2022-23.

The decision was taken during a meeting held under the chair of the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar.

It should be noted that out of Rs15 billion, Rs5 billion will be released immediately while the balance will be released in tranches on utilisation of the first tranche.

Earlier, the ECC had deferred a grant worth Rs47 billion to the ECP for holding the next general elections, sources told Geo News on November 25, adding that the ECP would again submit a summary for the technical grant.

Moreover, during today’s meeting, the ECC discussed the summary submitted by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on the Kissan Package and approved the base tariff for electric tube wells at Rs13/kWH from R16.60/kWh.

The Rs3.60/kWH relief will be provided to farmers in order to compensate for the damage caused by the floods and heavy rains. This will be effective from November 1.

Meanwhile, Power Division submitted another summary on the settlement of payables to government-owned power plants at par with independent power producers (IPPs). 

The ECC approved a Technical Supplementary Grant worth Rs93.438 billion for these IPPs in three tranches of Rs31.146 billion each.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also submitted a summary for the allocation of budget to launch a comprehensive media awareness campaign on government initiatives, programmes and projects.

The ECC after a detailed discussion approved a Supplementary Grant of Rs2 billion for flood-related media campaigns.