Kiln owners welcome power tariff relief

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, August 21

Brick-kiln owners in the state have something to cheer about. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has decided to levy industrial tariff on brick-kilns that have adopted the ‘induced draft and zigzag firing’ technology for the process of manufacturing bricks with immediate effect. The kiln owners would be required to take separate NRS (non-residential supply) connection for carrying out commercial activities at the kiln site.

The relief in power tariff (from commercial to industrial) has been widely welcomed by the kiln owners but most of them feel that the government ought to provide some financial assistance for the capital expenditure incurred in shifting to modern technology and also for obtaining separate three-phase industrial connections for the kilns.

In its memo (no. 1806/10/Loose-68/Tariff dated August 21, 2018), the PSPCL has quoted the decision of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (vide memo no. 987-88 dated July 31, 2018) which says – “Brick-kilns using electricity for industrial purpose ought to be covered under schedule of tariff for industrial category consumers. Provision also exists in the schedule for a separate NRS connection on the premises of industrial consumers subject to the conditions specified in the schedule.”

Accordingly, directions have been issued (vide the said memo) to all Chief Engineers and Engineers-in-chief of distribution zones in the state to charge industrial tariff for the kilns that had shifted to the new technology of induced draft and zigzag firing for manufacture of bricks.

Hailing the decision of the PSPCL, president of Ludhiana Brick-kilns Association Ramesh Mohie said the relief in power tariff would give a new lease of life to recession-hit brick-kiln industry. He, however, urged the government to provide some financial assistance for the huge capital expenditure involved in shifting to new technology (induced draft and zigzag firing) which was aimed at cutting down pollution caused by the kilns.

Expressing similar views, another brick-kiln owner, Darshan Singh Jawanda, said some of the kilns would have to incur heavy expenditure for obtaining new three-phase electricity connections and laying power lines from quite a distance. “In view of the fact that the new technique will help bring down pollution, the government should share a part of the financial burden.”