Targets not met, PSPCL slapped Rs 107.27 cr fine
Saturday, 23/08/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140823/punjab.htm#10
Chandigarh : The PSERC has slapped a fine of Rs 107.27 crore on the PSPCL for failing to achieve its targets. In its order, the PSERC said that the PSPCL failed to implement various directives, which impacted consumer services as well as performance of the utility.
The PSERC imposed what it called "disallowance" worth Rs 107.27 crore on account of "negligence and failure to achieve the set milestones".
Of the total fine, Rs 10 crore is on account of the failure to shift electricity meters outside the consumer premises. The PSPCL was asked to shift all meters in the non-APDRP areas by December 31, 2012. However, about 17 lakh meters are yet to be shifted. A fine of Rs 5 crore has been imposed for not achieving 100 per cent metering. The PSERC has imposed a disallowance of Rs 72.27 crore for not implementing the DSM (demand-side management) regulations.
Another Rs 20 crore has been imposed for not bringing down employee cost. The PSPCL was told to implement an information technology plan to reduce manpower cost and it was asked to switch over to the automatic meter reading system and set up unmanned substations.
The penalty count
Rs 72.27 crore: For non-implementation of DSM (demand-side management) norms
Rs 20 crore: Not bringing down employee cost
Rs 10 crore: Failure to shift electricity meters outside consumer premises
Rs 5 crore: Not achieving 100 per cent metering
what they say
The new tariff has been announced after the byelections in Patiala and Talwandi Sabo. Power theft was being shown as 'free power' to the farm sector. The hike is anti-people - Manpreet Badal, ppp president
The hike is the minimum burden that the government can put on the consumers. I thank the Chief Minister for taking into consideration the BJP view on the issue - Kamal Sharma, bjp state president
The cumulative hike in power tariff has been the highest ever since Badal took over as CM. Now private players have arrived on the scene - Partap Bajwa, punjab congress chief
Not allowing Rs 914 crore towards terminal benefits is violation of the transfer scheme. With this meagre hike, it may not be possible for the PSPCL to offset its expenses - Baldev Sra, pseb engineers assn chief
