Demands subsidised power for street lights

Perturbed over the fact that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is charging commercial rates of power being supplied to 27,000 street lights installed by the Patiala Municipal Corporation in 50 municipal wards, the civic authorities have demanded that the PSPCL should provide power to street lights on subsidised rates.

Municipal Commissioner Manjit Singh Narang has written a letter to the PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director, KD Chaudhri in this regard. At present, there are 27,000 street lights in various areas that fall under the MC jurisdiction.

Since the PSPCL is charging commercial rates, the cash-strapped MC has to bear the brunt of power bills that amounts to Rs 35 lakh per month. After deliberations on the issue, the Municipal Commissioner has written a letter to Chaudhri urging him to stop levying commercial charges on power consumed by street lights.