FICO members demand uninterrupted power supply

Ludhiana, July 6

The members of FICO met here today to discuss several issues concerning the PSPCL. The members said electricity is one of the major raw materials for the industry as quality power ensures optimum production. However, the quality of the power being supplied to the industry has fallen recently, as many voltage fluctuations along with multiple unscheduled power cuts are being observed.

Besides, they added that PSPCL had issued penalty notices under ‘Unauthorized use of Electricity’ by small and medium industries having electroplating units and induction heater units, considering them under ‘power intensive units’ category. “When the industry is getting electricity through a metered connection and paying accordingly, how can it be an unauthorized use of electricity?” asked the FICO members.

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has released the Tariff Orders for 2024-25, applicable from June 16 to March 31. Under this, the PSERC has increased the fixed charges by Rs 5 per KVA and the unit rates by 15 paise for the industrial consumers. “Any increase in the power costs will impact the cost of industrial products especially when the industry is working on narrow margins due to prolonged recession, and imposing an additional burden on the industry in the form of an increased tariff will only be troublemakers for the industrialist. This is the time the government should support the industry and roll back the hike orders with immediate effect,” said Gurmit Singh Kumar, president, FICO. It was also requested that the department expedite the process of installation of ‘quality’ meters, so that the impact of the quality meters can be measured.