NEW SYSTEM: PSPCL introduces self attested test report

Chandigarh, November 10, 2012: In a bid to provide major relief to the people across the state, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has decided to introduce a new system of self attested test report from the consumers thereby abolishing the prevalent practice of submitting test report from the license contractor and its subsequent physical verification by the officers/officials of PSPCL for release of new connections.  

However, this decision would be applicable to all categories of consumers except agriculture pump set (AP) category. 

While reviewing the progress of PSPCL to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply to the consumers here at a meeting with the Chairman and Managing Director PSPCL KD Chaudhri, the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that this path breaking decision would save the consumers from undue harassment and inordinate delay due to the previous cumbersome procedure, thus now paving a way for immediate and hassle free release of connections.  He reiterated his government’s firm commitment to ensure clean, transparent and smooth services besides quality power to all categories consumers of the state.   The Deputy Chief Minister said the simplification of the tedious procedure involved earlier in the release of new connections and extension of load would go a long way in mitigating the hardships faced by the consumers besides ensuring overall development and prosperity in the state.    

Chaudhri informed the Deputy Chief Minister that as per existing provisions the prospective consumers were earlier required to submit a test report from the licensed contractor approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector, Punjab regarding healthiness wiring/equipment installed.  This test report was further verified by the officials/officers of PSPCL for release of connections.  Under the garb of fulfillment of the formalities, the consumers were subjected to undue harassment which led to corruption at the lower levels. 

In another significant decision to provide much needed relief to the industrial consumers of MS (Medium Supply category having load from 20 KW to 100 KW), the PSPCL has also decided to do away with the practice of physical verification of the load in case of these consumers and instructed the officers/officials of PSPCL to read the load from the meter installed for the purpose.  

The CMD PSPCL told Sukhbir Singh Badal that the officers/officials of PSPCL had been asked not to go beyond the meter in the premises of industrial consumers of MS category.  In case of large supply (more than 100 KW sanctioned load), consumers, this practice was already in vogue.  These measures have been taken keeping in view of the constant endeavour of PSPCL for bringing transparency and hassle free services to the consumers, so as to safeguard their interest.    

It may be recalled that the industrial consumers were feeling harassed by the officials/officers of the PSPCL on the pretext of physical verification of their sanctioned loads.  These industrialists had often complained against this undue harassment and other mal-practices existing at the lower level.  Therefore, the PSPCL taking cognizance of this problem had mooted a proposal to abandon this practice which was readily accepted by the Deputy Chief Minister.