PSPCL to act tough against misuse of agricultural power

Kuldip Bhatia

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Ludhiana, July 31

The Punjab State Power Supply Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has decided to take strict action against misuse of agricultural power (AP) connections to the extent of immediate disconnection of power supply to the defaulting consumers.

The directions issued by the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Commercial) to the zonal heads say that if power supplied for tube wells is used for any other purpose, it amounts to violation of ‘Schedule of Tariff for Agriculture Pumping Supply’ (AP), and hence has to be treated as unauthorised use of electricity.

“In all such cases action be initiated under Section 36 of the Supply Code-2014 and supply should be immediately disconnected. The consumers, if he desires, will be entitled to get the connection shifted to agricultural land owned by him after fulfilling the prevailing terms and conditions,” the memo adds.

It has been further stipulated that if the AP connection is not in use, a 30-day notice be issued to the consumer to get the connection shifted to farmland under his/her ownership and in case of non-compliance, the connection be forfeited.

The PSPCL has further directed the zonal heads to deploy field staff to ensure that power supply provided to AP consumers (for tubewells) was not being misused or located on the premises of residential colonies, marriage palaces, farmhouses or industry. If any such instance of ‘misuse’ of AP power has been identified, a report of follow-up action for shifting or disconnection of the power supply should be sent to the headquarters.

Further, the PSPCL instructed that in future at the time of issuing new electricity connection to residential colonies, marriage palaces, farmhouses and industrial units, the Junior Engineer of the area concerned would have to make sure that no tube well connection was installed on the premises.

“If a tube well connection already exists on such premises where a new connection is being sought, any further action be taken only after shifting or disconnection of the AP supply,” said the directions by the PSPCL Chief Engineer.

Directs zonal heads to deploy field staff

The PSPCL has directed the zonal heads to deploy field staff to ensure that power supply provided to AP consumers (for tubewells) was not being misused or located on the premises of residential colonies, marriage palaces, farmhouses or industry. If any such instance of ‘misuse’ of AP power has been identified, a report of follow-up action for shifting or disconnection of the power supply should be sent to the headquarters.