ISLAMABAD: Following the directives of the prime minister, the Ministry of Water and Power is making a summary to seek the permission from the federal cabinet to allow provinces to initiate power generation projects of up to 50 megawatts (MW), sources told Daily Times on Thursday. For overcoming the power shortfall, the two provinces, namely Punjab and Sindh had sent the proposal of initiating different power generation schemes to the Ministry of Water and Power. The ministry informed the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during his visit to the ministry on June 16 that the provinces sought permission for initiation of power generation projects. Sources further said that the PM in its recommendation had allowed the provinces to begin power generation projects subjected to the approval of the cabinet. The prime minister directed the ministry to focus on developing indigenous energy resources like coal, hydro and wind, which the country had in abundance and if these resources were developed, this could secure cheap energy supplies for the next several decades. The PM also directed the Ministry of Water and Power that indigenous fuel-based power generation projects should be carried out on fast-track basis so as to effectively deal the challenges of energy shortage. In other directives to the Ministry of Water and Power the PM also stressed for elimination of wastage and inefficiencies within energy production and distribution system so that the ministry should invest in the system’s upgradation to bring energy losses in line with internationally accepted levels by developing a viable investment plan. The PM also directed the ministry to focus on promotion of energy conservation measures and called for the formulation of a realistic conservation plan in consultation with all the stakeholders to save 20-25 percent energy, which would save foreign exchange. According to the PM’s directives, the service providers needed to be made more efficient and client responsive in order to achieve commercial viability and reduce the present reliance on heavy subsidies, which were directly and indirectly being paid by the taxpayers and the ministry should focus on this aspect as well. The PM directed the Ministry of Water and Power to speed up its efforts to enhance public and private sector power generation to a maximum capacity for public relief and promotion of economic and commercial activity in the country. Regarding village electrification programme of the government, the PM had asked the Ministry of Water and Power to contact the Ministry of Finance and proper funds would be provided for this cause, the sources maintained. About availability of furnace oil and gas for power generation thermal plants, the PM had directed the Ministry of Water and Power to contact with the Adviser for Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources so as to overcome power shortfall soon. The PM also expressed willingness to visit Mangla Dam Rising Project with consultation with the Ministry of Water and Power in the near future. About complete removal of load shedding by December 2009, the sources said that the PM directed the ministry to work hard and fulfil the promise as the power shortfall badly affected commercial activities, industrial production and even the common people.