High electricity prices: Balkhis find it hard to pay bills

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Residents of northern Balkh province complain they are finding it difficult to pay their electricity bills due high tariff.

The consumers say normal electricity price in Balkh is 6.25 afghanis per kilowatt while it is low in other provinces.

Zabihullah, a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, the province capital, said the price of one kilowatt electricity stood at 6.25 afghanis and heavy bills forced him to install a solar power system.

“The electricity price is based on categories in other provinces, but the starting rate is 6.25 in Balkh,” he added.

Milad, another resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, said electricity price in Balkh was three times higher compared to other provinces. He urged the government to reduce the electricity rate in the province and bring it at par with other provinces.

Safiullah, another consumer, held similar views and said the issue of inflated bills in Balkh was an old issue, but remained neglected by the past government.

Meanwhile, sellers of solar panels say their business has lately flourished.

One of them, Abdul Qayum, said since last two years, they were doing a roaring business due to heavy government electricity bills.

sa/ma