CII Interacts with PSPCL top brass on power situation in Punjab

Ludhiana, May 4, 2022: CII Punjab State Council today organised an Interaction of Industry with Top officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Officials on power crisis especially faced by Industry in the state. Baldev Singh Sran, Chairman & Managing Director, PSPCL informed the CII Team that though PSPCL was better prepared than last year however because of the ongoing heatwave in the early months of summer, the demand has gone by 32% for the same period as compared to last year which has led to rationing of Power.

Sran also highlighted that besides the early heat wave, the shortage of coal supply to Power plants and the ceasing of operations at a Thermal station in Kandla Gujarat which operates on Indonesian coal are also among the reasons for the Power shortage in Punjab. Amit Thapar, Chairman, CII Punjab shared that the Industry is receiving multiple messages from the Powercom staff posted in Districts asking for the Industry to shut operations which are causing confusion and panic, especially in the continuous process and export-oriented Industry.

Thapar and other senior Industry members suggested that since Shopping malls and such commercial spaces are not in the necessity & Essential category, they should be requested to not use ACs from 12 noon to 4:00 PM which is their lean period in any case besides the timings in Government offices especially which are not into essential services should be curtailed.

Baldev Sran informed the members that the messages received by Industry were only an appeal from their side to Industry to reduce their load and no Penalty will be levied if anyone has operated. Mr Sran agreed to Industry demand that if any scheduled cuts on Industry would be imposed it would be communicated with proper notice. 

Sran further requested the Industry that since Power is surplus on Sundays, Industry that doesn’t operate on Sunday is requested to volunteer for weekday off and operate on Sundays.

CII Members assured the Power com of full support in this crisis and suggested that till the time situation on Power stabilizes in the state & country there should be regular weekly meeting of CII members with PSPCL officials to avoid confusion and smooth functioning of Industry with judicious use of Power.