Army seeks 300 units of free power, state govt in a bind
The Indian Army has approached the state government seeking 300 units of free power per month for its personnel posted in the state. This has put the government in a fix as it grapples with huge burden of domestic power subsidy.
In a letter sent to the state government, the South Western Command of Indian Army has contended that though the state government has been giving 300 units of free power to domestic consumers since July 2022, it has not been extended to service personnel and defence civilians residing in married accommodations in the cantonments and military stations in Punjab.
Officers in the Punjab Government, on the other hand, say that free power subsidy cannot be given to the residents in cantonments and military stations as these stations get bulk power supply. The subsidy is given to individual domestic consumers.
It is also contended by the Indian Army that the similar facility of free power given by Delhi Government is extended to the service personnel posted there. This demand is now being discussed in the top echelons of the state government.
One lakh troops posted in Punjab
Over 1 lakh troops are presently stationed in Punjab. All officers and junior commissioned officers are authorised for family accommodation as are 35% jawans. In addition, a large number of civilian employees of the Defence Ministry posted at Army formations are also entitled for accommodation in military stations.
Since the total domestic power subsidy bill of the state government is already expected to be Rs 8,785 crore, an increase of Rs 1,550 crore over last financial year, taking on thousands of more domestic households for free power will add to the fiscal woes of the PSPCL.
The state government is struggling to pay the power subsidy to PSPCL, considering its own precarious fiscal health. Till November 13, of the total subsidy due to be paid by the state government for free domestic power, only Rs 4,508.2 crore had been paid. Of the total subsidy bill of Rs 20,477 crore, Rs 11,401.26 crore has been paid. In this month, besides the subsidy of Rs 200 crore paid to the PSPCL, the state government has given them a grant-in-aid of Rs 2,387 crore.
It is learnt that over one lakh troops are presently stationed in Punjab. Hundred per cent officers and junior commissioned officers (JCO) are authorised for family accommodation as are 35 per cent jawans. In addition, a large number of civilian employees of the Defence Ministry posted at Army formations are also entitled for accommodation in military stations.
Though the demand has been made only by the South Western Command, which has its formations located in Bathinda and few other places in Malwa region in Punjab, the government — if it allows it free power – it will have to extend the same to formations located at Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Patiala, Amritsar and Pathankot.
