Punjab Newsline
Punjab govt asks PSEB to issue power bills on enhanced rates
Punjab Newsline Network
Saturday, 26 September 2009
CHANDIGARH: The urban power consumers in Punjab have come for a rude shock following Punjab government directive to Pun jab State Electricity Board(PSEB) to issue the electricity bills as per enhanced tariff.

BJP, the ruling alliance partner of SAD in Punjab was opposing the hike in power tariff and demanded to subsidise it.

Punjab government had formed a committee of SAD-BJP leaders to review the power tariff and suggest financial resouces to subsidise the hike. The state government has also decided to peition the Punjab State energy regularity Commission to review its decision of hike in tariff.

Punjab government has on September 24 wrote a letter to PSEB Chairman that untill a consensus is not developed to file petition before the energy regulatory commission, all consumers be sent power bills as per revised ratess. The government has written that a committee has been formed to suggest financial resources for subsidising the rates and committee has been asked to submit report within a month. The report however is expected to be delayed. The government has said that Energy regulatory commission would be approached to delay the operation of its order for one month.

The two member committee to discuss subsidy on power bills to urban consumers comprises deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and industry minister Manoranjan Kalia. Sukhbir Badal has left for week long foreign visit and no meeting of the committee was held so far. The committee was formed after BJP minsiter in the cabinet meeting gave stern warning to state government. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had told BJP leaders that new bills would be issued on old rates and a committee would be formed to look into the matter. BJP is opposing subsidy to rural sector at the cost of urban consumers.