Consumer’s average electricity bill will be adjusted in next bill-PSPCL
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Chandigarh
All over Punjab, one question is disbursing every electricity consumer of Punjab-why Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL) is sending bills on average basis? are they going to adjust the average bill in next bills? Why don’t they send meter readers to take meter reading? and many more questions, relating to their electricity bills?
News portal royalpatiala.in took this initiative to clear the air on charging electricity bill on average basis ,with Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL) officials.
Er JIS Grewal, Chief engineer Commercial, Punjab state power corporation limited (PSPCL) has clarified that “the corporation is going to raise electricity bill on average basis, for all domestic consumers, public lightning. Bulk supply (LT), AP high technology/ High density farming, charitable hospitals under PwD act are to be prepared on average basis, as per consumption of the same months of last year. As and when the actual reading is available after lifting of curfew, the amount paid against average bill be adjusted”.
When asked , some consumers have apprehensions that last year their consumption is more or less as compare to this year. On this he said that, consumers don’t get worried as their bills are going to be adjusted, charged as per their actual consumption. He further said that “their present consumption will be high as compared to normal conditions as everyone is indoors implying more electrical equipment’s will be in use.”
He further clarified that “all commercial consumers (shops, stores all other establishment getting bills on commercial rates) and small power industrial consumers, consumer have been advised to upload their readings on PSPCL website under the “Meter Reading on trust” facility. Bill are t be generated as per uploaded reading. In case the readings are not available, then bills are to be issued on average basis i.e 20% in case of monthly billing and 40% in case of bimonthly billing based upon consumption of same month of last year. When the actual reading is available after lifting the curfew, the amount paid against average bill be adjusted”.
Rest all big consumers, large industry will get their bills on actual basis.
When asked why the corporation not sending the meter readers in the field to take reading, when medical staff, police, bank staff are doing their duties in curfew. Another official on the condition of anonymity said that” it’s true that they are doing their job with dedication. The problem with PSPCL is totally different , due to its large base, number of more employees and having household consumers from length and breadth of Punjab. The corporation field staff goes to every house to take reading, which is a tough task in itself but PSPCL managing it efficiently. The state is in curfew. The corporation has to take curfew passes from every district magistrate for meter readers, for field staff, for office back end staff. It’s a tedious job in itself. Moreover many areas in Punjab are quarantined. So their meter reading will be left. Also PSPCL meter reader has to go to every house to take reading, which is not being done by any other department.”
He further informed that “that’s why the corporation has decided to raise the house hold bills on average basis. Moreover PSPCL has full faith in its commercial consumers, small industrial consumers, that why the corporation advised them to upload their readings on PSPCL website under the “Meter Reading on trust” facility.”
April, 26,2020
