Punjab CM announces reduction in fixed electricity charges amid coronavirus outbreak
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced a reduction in the fixed charges for electricity consumers, along with the deferment of a deadline for payment of bills. Also, the CM instructed the Power department to provide an uninterrupted 24x7 supply to all the Health Care institutions.
The PSPCL will have to bear an additional burden of Rs. 350 crore due to the various reliefs announced for the consumers, an official spokesperson said. Adding, he said that the Chief Minister also lauded the employees of PSPCL and PSTCL for their untiring efforts in maintaining continuous supply of power amid coronavirus outbreak.
The CM further ordered that no new disconnection shall be carried out against non-payment till restrictions are withdrawn by the authority. The reliefs have been announced in the wake of the unprecedented situation in which consumers are unable to pay their dues to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the due date of electricity bills of all the Domestic and Commercial consumers, having current monthly/bi-monthly bills up to Rs. 10000/- payable on or after March 20, 2020, has been extended up to April 20, 2020, without levy of late payment surcharge. Further, a 1% rebate will be given to the consumers (exclusive of any previous arrears) who will pay electricity bills online through digital modes by the original due date.
The same applies to all the 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, w.e.f 23.3.2020, and Energy Charges may be fixed commensurate with the reduction in the Fixed Charges (single rate), the Chief Minister instructed.
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Since the Revised Energy Charges will be paid by the consumers and will not be considered for the subsidy, the MS and LS Industrial Consumers whose units remained closed during this period will not be required to pay any electricity dues.
-PTC News
