ISLAMABAD: Top officials of the National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) have significantly increased their remunerations, without mandatory approval by the federal cabinet, sources told Dawn.
The increase has come at a time when the power sector is facing massive technical, commercial and distribution losses.
The chairperson and members of all the regulatory bodies are normally entitled to a maximum Management Position (MP) scale I with basic pay of Rs629,000 to Rs772,780 per month.
Other perks — Rs146,000 to 206,000 for house rent and Rs35,000 for utilities — take their total pay to Rs800,000 to Rs1 million.
Remuneration for chairperson, members increased four times in violation of law
The Nepra officials have approved almost a three times hike in their remunerations.
The regulatory body was sent a detailed questionnaire on Feb 10 seeking comment on the salary revisions and whether the government’s approval was sought, but no response was received, despite multiple reminders.
The total gross salary of the Nepra chairperson has increased to almost Rs3.25m and of its officials to around Rs2.95m.
The revised remuneration package includes a basic pay of Rs700,000 to Rs773,000. In addition, the Nepra officials have approved Rs631,000 to 700,000 per month ‘regulatory allowance’ for themselves on the pattern of judicial allowance for judges.
They have also secured an ad hoc relief for 2024 of Rs587,000 to Rs650,000.
On top of that, they have also become eligible for ad hoc relief for 2023 at the rate of Rs544,000 to Rs600,000.
They also draw house rent allowance of Rs176,000 to Rs206,000 per month besides Rs105,150 to Rs116,000 as ad hoc relief for 2022 and Rs70,000 to Rs77,300 as ad hoc relief for 2021.
Their other perks include car monetisation of Rs96,000 and utility allowance of Rs32,000 to Rs35,000.
Their cumulative salary package has now touched Rs2.95m to Rs3.25m, even higher than superior court judges.
Govt approval
The salary, perks and privileges for the Nepra chairperson and members are outlined in Section 8 of the Nepra Act, 1997.
“The Chairman and Members of the Authority shall be eligible for such remuneration and allowances as the Authority may, with the approval of the Federal Government, determine,” said the provision.
However, sources told Dawn these revisions were made without the government’s approval.
