Karachi: The Government of Sindh has finalised the Coronavirus
Emergency Relief Ordinance draft to provide immediate relief to the people
affected by the lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, a news
source reported. As per reports, the draft has been sent to Sindh Governor
Imran Ismael for approval.
Sindh Ministry of Law has prepared the draft in accordance with Article 128 of the constitution. With approval from the governor, the relief ordinance will become effective from April 1 onwards.
As per the Sindh government Coronavirus Emergency Relief
Ordinance, provision of the following relief measures is being pursued:
Relief in electricity
bills:
Waive electricity bills of up to 260 units
People who consumed 261 to 350 electricity units
will get 25% discount on bills
Electricity consumers who used 351 to 400 units
will get 50% concession on bills
Relief in gas bills:
No bill for consumers using up to 155 units of
gas
75% off on usage of up to 200 units
50% discount on bills for people using up to 300
units
Relief on water bills:
No water bill for residents living in 80 sq yds
and smaller houses
25% discount on water bill for residents living
in 81 sq yds to 160 sq yd houses
Resident of houses falling in sizes of 161 sq yd
and 240 sq yd will enjoy 50% discount on water bills
No water bills for residents of 800 sq ft
apartments
25% discount for residents of apartments
spanning 1,000 sq ft
50% discount on water bills for residents of
apartments spanning 1,200 sq ft
Relief for tenants
Rent amounting up to PKR 50,000 will be
suspended for a specific period of time. This amount will be cleared later once
the situation gets back to normal
Monthly rent ranging between PKR 50,000 to PKR
100,000 will be slashed by half, for a specific duration. The slashed amount
will have to be cleared later
Relief on school fees
Private schools cannot collect more than 80% of the due fees. The slashed 20% school fee cannot be collected under any other head
The ordinance further mentions that those not following the prescribed relief methods will face legal charges including fines of up to PKR 1,000,000. In addition to this, the ordinance also extends power to the Sindh chief minister to abolish and/or amend it anytime he deems appropriate.
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