PSEB hits pre-paid route to claim dues
Times of India
Parvesh Sharma | TNN

Patiala: Facing serious problems in recovering Rs 63 crore electricity bills pending with various government departments, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has in a novel venture decided to checkmate its tormentors and install pre-paid electricity meters.
“Though our officials don’t have any problem showing the rulebook to defaulters, political interference and pressure from senior officers can be a deterrent in our recourse to such action,” a senior officer posted in PSEB enforcement wing told TOI.
Sources claim that although all government departments use electricity, most tend to dilly-dally when it comes to footing the bill. Under the new project, to be implemented in a phased manner, offices will be supplied electricity against advance payments only. Once the “paid-for-supply” is consumed, more power would be stopped.
“The system is already in place in New Delhi, where 200 pre-paid meters have been installed in government offices. In fact, even Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are keen on the idea. We hope the initiative would not only help change mindsets but also improve the financial health of the board,” Mohinder Singh Dua, engineer-in-chief of metering, said. In the new scheme of things, officers who have often used the “no funds available” alibi, may find no occasion to do so again.
In the run-up to venture launch, the state electricity board has invited expression of interest for purchase of required material and meters by January 15, 2009. It has also started assessing the technical efficiency of its officers and is preparing a detailed finance requirement report. At present, the defaulter list includes departments like the