CHANDIGARH: To further mitigate the hardships faced by the people amid the COVID-19 crisis and clampdown, Punjab Government on Wednesday announced reduction in fixed charges for electricity, along with deferment of deadline for payment of bills.
The PSPCL will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 350 crore due to various relief measures announced for the consumers, an official said. No new disconnection shall be carried out against the non-payment till restrictions are withdrawn, he added.
As per the Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s directives, due date of electricity bills of all the Domestic and Commercial consumers, having current monthly or bimonthly bills up to Rs 10,000 payable on or after March 20, 2020, has been extended up to April 20, 2020, without levy of late payment
surcharge.
Further, 1 per cent rebate will be given to the consumers (exclusive of any previous arrears) who will pay electricity bills online through digital modes by original due date.
The same applies to all electricity bills payable on or after March 20 of all the Industrial consumers – Medium Supply (MS) and Large Supply (LS) Industrial Consumers. The fixed charges of the industrial consumers will also be exempted for the next two months, with effect from March 23 and energy Charges may be fixed commensurate with reduction in Fixed Charges (single rate).
Since the Revised Energy Charges will be paid by consumers and will not be considered for subsidy, the MS and LS Industrial Consumers whose units remained closed during this period will not be required to pay any electricity dues.
Amarinder has further directed A Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary (Power), to provide uninterrupted 24x7 supply to all health care institutions such as medical colleges, hospitals, dispensaries and other medical establishments and quarantine centres across the state for their smooth functioning.
The CM has also directed the PSPCL to ensure continuity of power supply attendance of complaints related to safety and restoration of power. However, for meter reading, billing, release of new connections which require visiting consumers' premises may be discontinued, he added.