Industrialists resent move

With PSERC story

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, July19

Panic prevailed among industrialists of Mandi Gobindgarh after they were directed by the PSERC to pay fixed charges of electricity for the lockdown period of two months by September-end in instalments despite the earlier announcement made by the Chief Minister that the fixed charges of the lockdown period would be waived.

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had issued circular in this regard and even the Industry Minister had announced to waive fixed charges during his interaction with industrialists of the town. But to their surprise now the PSPCL has urged the PSERC to recover the fixed charges as they are incurring heavy losses and PSERC has issued directions to pay the fixed charges.

Industrialists held an emergency meeting under the banner of the Steel City Furnace Association and urged the CM to keep his promise else they would be forced to shut the industry and stage a protest.

Industry Minister Sunder Sham Arora said the CM had made clear-cut instructions to the regulatory commission not to charge fixed charges of the lockdown period from industry, adding that he was not aware about the new circular of the regulatory commission. He said he would look into it. He said he had made announcement to waive fixed charges for MSME units and the government stood by its promise.