PSPCL slashes charges for shifting HT/LT lines

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 11

It has now become easier and cheaper to get 11 kV high tension (HT) or low tension (LT) electrical cables, having insufficient electrical clearing, shifted from over or along buildings except from vacant land and plots.

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has amended the Electricity Supply Instructions Manual (ESIM) 2018 to make shifting of HT/LT cables and distribution transformers away from the premises of consumers at affordable cost in larger interest of society.

A commercial circular issued by the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Commercial) said, “A new instruction 40.4 (f) has been inserted in the ESIM with regard to charges for shifting of 11 kV HT/LT lines passing over/along building having insufficient electrical clearance (except for exclusive vacant land or plot).”

According to new insertion the new instruction would be applicable to applicants requesting (along with processing fee) for shifting of electrical lines passing over/along buildings having insufficient electrical clearance and would not be applicable to exclusive vacant land/plot. However, if shifting involved both buildings and plots, these instructions would be applicable.

The new insertion further states, “A committee of Additional Superintending Engineer/Senior Executive Engineer (DS and Technical Audit) will visit the site and approve the sketch after verifying the genuineness of shifting in all such cases. The estimate for shifting of the HT/LT line will be approved by the competent authority.”

It has been stipulated in the new instructions that, “Supervision charges at the rate of 15 per cent on labour charges, incidental expenses incurred by MM (material management) organisation on store material at the rate of four per cent on the issue price of additional material for carrying out alteration, storage charges (1.5 per cent), contingency charges (one per cent), TP charges (1.5 per cent) and fee of Chief Electrical Inspector will not be recovered from the applicant and borne by the PSPCL.”

The consumers applying for shifting of power lines would have the option to arrange their own labour from licenced/approved electrical contractor or bear the labour charges and be at liberty to arrange their own transportation for the additional material or make payment of the same at the rate of 2.5 per cent of the cost of additional material.

The circular makes clear, “The system improvement work necessitated by such shifting of lines/equipment will be carried out by the PSPCL at its own level and no cost on this account will be recovered from the consumer.”

Applicant will not pay following charges

• Supervision charges at the rate of 15 per cent on labour charges. 
• Incidental expenses incurred on store material at the rate of four per cent on issue price of additional material for alteration. 
• Storage charges at the rate of 1.5 per cent. 

            Contingency charges at the rate of 1 per cent. 

            TP charges at the rate of 1.5 per cent. 

             Fee of Chief Electrical Inspector.