PSPCL ties itself in knots over NOC for new connections
Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, September 25
Management of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) was left red-faced over a complete about turn on requirement of ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) for industrial units located in the mixed land use area, and a circular issued in this respect on September 15, 2015 (circular no. 41 of 2016) had to be hastily withdrawn in the face of angry protests from the industrial fraternity.
It was in June 2016 (through commercial circular no. 17 of 2016) that the PSPCL had issued comprehensive guidelines for release of new industrial, commercial and domestic power connections wherein the requirement of an NOC or change of land (CLU) was waived in the mixed land use areas (for industry) and designated commercial areas (for commercial entities while domestic power connections or extension of load in this category were exempted from all restrictions, whatsoever).
The decision, which came after a persistent and extended agitation by hundreds of tiny and small units located in several mixed land use areas in the city, came as a huge relief for the industry and the PSPCL offices were flooded with applications for grant of new connections or extension of load by existing units in such areas.
However, the PSPCL took a complete about turn, or it seemed like that when another commercial circular (no. 41 of 2016) issued on Sept 15, 2016, maintained that CLU/NOC were required for release of new electricity connections/extension of load for domestic, industrial and commercial use.
The new circular evoked a spate of protests from industrial bodies who termed it as a betrayal while threatening to resume protests and gherao of the PSPCL authorities and senior government functionaries.
In the face of protests and threat of agitations by the industrial fraternity, the PSPCL beat a hasty retreat and clarifications were issued to say that the language of the said circular (no. 41) was ‘misleading’. The PSPCL officials maintained that exemption from NOC/CLU had not been withdrawn and similarly there was no restriction on release of new power connections/extension of load for domestic use.
It was further stated by senior PSPCL officials that the circular was issued to clarify certain ambiguities in release of new power connections outside city limits or in designatedContinued on page 4
