PSPCL takes tough stance

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, November 21

In the wake of complaints that developers of private colonies were rampantly misusing temporary electricity connections by extending supply further to residents, commercial area or for common services to avoid payment of connectivity charges and installation of local distribution (LD) system, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has issued strict instructions to its field staff to ensure that these connections were used for the intended purpose.

In an office memo (706-11 dated November 20, 2019) sent to all zonal heads of distribution system across the state, the PSPCL Chief Engineer/Commercial has emphasised that as per provisions of Supply Code 2014, use of temporary supply by developers of colonies was meant for the purpose of construction, carrying out internal development and infrastructure works in the colony and not for extending temporary or permanent connections to individual consumers in the colony.

The field staff and supervisory officials have been directed that while extending the period of temporary connection released to a developer, it should be checked whether it was being used only for intended purpose or it was ever misused by extending supply to premises or residents or allottees. “In case any misuse is noticed, the said connection should not be extended after lapse of its permitted period,” says the memo.

Further, distribution officers have been asked to ensure that temporary connections given to colonies for construction purposes were not being misused in any manner whatsoever. For this purpose field staff taking monthly meter reading should be held responsible and they be directed to give a certificate in meter sealing register (MSR) that supply from said temporary connections was not being extended by the developer to any other premises/purpose in the colony such as house, shop, street light, treatment plant or water supply.

 At the same time, the PSPCL has issued instructions to the revenue accountant (RA) and the revenue staff that while preparing monthly bills they should keep an eye on variation in energy consumption as per sanctioned load and bring the same to the notice of concerned officials in writing. 

 Directions have also been issued through the said memo to circle heads of enforcement wing to check temporary connections released to colonies through an official of the rank of Senior Executive Engineer/Enforcement at least once a year. 

 “To start with, the enforcement wing should take a list of such connections and the Chief Engineer Enforcement should ensure 100 per cent checking and submit a report in this regard within a period of three months, by February 15, 2020, clearly indicating officials/staff responsible for the lapse,” the PSPCL directions said.