PSPCL not to punish units that violated orders day after grid failure

The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has decided to waive off the penalty it had imposed on industrialists, who had operated their units a day after power was restored following the Northern grid failure.

The state power body had earlier posted instructions stating that industrial units having load of up to 50 KW can run on 10 per cent of their load while the rest of the industrial units cannot operate till further orders. A few units had begun operations immediately after power had been restored.

The PSCPL then decided to penalise them but has now given them a reprieve. This was confirmed by Arun Verma, director, distribution, PSPCL. " We understand that instructions were received very late and a number of units could not read them. So we will be giving relief to the entire industry for that period," he said.

The industry, however, is not satisfied with the verbal assurances and wants written orders. More than 40 per cent of the industry had not read the instructions and had operated their units as and when power was restored in their areas.

Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of United Cycles Parts and Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), said: " We will not be satisfied till a written order is distributed. If the fines are calculated, they will come in crores for a single day from Ludhiana alone. In the past, the state power body had stopped giving 7.5 per cent waiver on load transmission supply without prior notice to consumers and arrears had been added in the power bills. It is only a recent high court decision that has given us relief. We will appreciate it if PSPCL conveys the instructions regarding penalty in writing soon".

ALSO READ

'Shootout At Wadala' producer Ekta Kapoor apologises, Valmiki Samaj unperturbed

Theatres in Punjab cancel 'Shootout at Wadala' shows

Rail traffic hit due to protests over Sajjan's acquittal

Family of 1971 POW awaits his return from Pak, fears for his life