PSPCL does away with free power for affluent SC, BC consumers

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 21

In a major decision, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has announced that affluent consumers belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Backward Class (BC) and non-SC BPL (below poverty line), including those holding constitutional posts, serving or retired government employees and professionals will not be entitled to free power supply of 200 units per month.

Till now, free power supply was provided to such consumers with connected load up to 1 kW only with the exception of those paying income tax.

In a commercial circular (no. 7/2020 dated February 20, 2020), the PSPCL has laid down that free power supply of 200 units per month will not be provided to former and present holders of constitutional posts, former and present ministers, state ministers, members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assembly, legislative councils, former and present mayors of civic bodies and former and present chairpersons of panchayats.

Further, the facility of free power supply would not be available to all serving or retired officers and employees of the Central and the State Governments, ministries, offices, departments and its field units, public sector enterprises and attached offices, autonomous institutions under the government as well as regular employees of Local Bodies (excluding multi-tasking staff, Class IV and Group D employees).

In addition to the above stated categories of consumers, all superannuated persons with monthly pension of Rs 10,000 (excluding multi-tasking staff, Class IV and Group D employees), all those who paid income tax in the last assessment year as well as professional, including doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with professional bodies and carrying out their respective profession will also be debarred from free power supply of 200 units per month.

The PSPCL has also mandated that the existing eligible consumers availing the facility of free power supply will have to furnish an undertaking that they do not fall under any of the categories which were declared non-eligible under the fresh circular.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.