UTPower Dept in profits, will privatisation help?Centre firm on its decision, employees say it violates Act

Dushyant Singh Pundir

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 9

Despite being in the pink of condition, the Centre is bent on giving the UT Electricity Department into the private hands. The department has been generating profit for the past five years. In 2017-18, the department had earned a record profit of Rs 258 crore with the line loss of 9.51 per cent, which is below the 15 per cent target fixed by the Ministry of Power.

The department has also been conferred with the Utility Award. Contrary to, by and large, smooth functioning of the Chandigarh Electricity Department, the Centre on May 12 last year, had decided to privatise the electricity distribution in all the Union Territories.

The UTs were told that the move would provide them an opportunity to leverage the private sector efficiency in the distribution sector for improving the quality of service and enhancing consumer satisfaction. It will also set an example for other states, the Centre had said.

However, the move is being opposed by the UT Powermen Union and Resident Welfare Association (RWA) in Chandigarh.

The decision of the government to privatise the distribution and supply of the Electricity Department by selling off its 100 per cent stake is in contravention of the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, said Gopal Datt Joshi, general secretary, UT Powermen Union.

In comparison to the power being supplied in Chandigarh, residents of the neighbouring district of Mohali are the worst affected as they are not only facing unscheduled power cuts amid the peak summer season, but also paying high tariff. The situation is relatively better in Panchkula. Due to continuous power cuts, people in Zirakpur and other parts of Mohali are having a harrowing time.

Zirakpur resident Aman Verma said: “We are having sleepless nights as there has been no power supply for the

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