PSPCL on a bill-collection spree

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 22

Perhaps feeling no pressure of any kind after the poll code of conduct was imposed, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) seems to have been on a bill-collection spree from long-time defaulters.

As per officials in the PSPCL, over Rs 5 crore has been collected from the defaulters, including commercial, industrial and domestic consumers, in Jalandhar only. The department has been estimating around Rs 10 crore that is yet to be collected from consumers.

The officials said as many as 500 power connections of defaulter consumers from various localities of Jalandhar urban and rural areas were disconnected. They could not deposit the power bills even after warnings by the PSPCL. These connections were later continued after they cleared their dues.

Among the private consumer defaulters, it is the influential lot leading a better lifestyle and having political connections who owe large amounts to the PSPCL.

The officials also accepted that earlier they used to face various kinds of pressure, however, they don’t listen to anyone. Besides the private consumer, the PSPCL has yet to collect the outstanding sum of more than Rs 7.75 crore from various government departments, including Public Health, hospitals, local bodies, Punjab Police, Panchayati Raj and District Commissioner Office.

Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Gopal Sharma, Deputy Chief Engineer, PSPCL, said: “We initiated action against defaulters after the poll code of conduct came into force, though we sped up the process of collecting outstanding amount after the Assembly poll held on February 4.”

He also urged the defaulter consumers to pay the outstanding bills if they want to avert stern action.