Now, industrialists oppose third power utility in Punjab
Umesh Dewan/TNS

Patiala, March 21
Industrialists have strongly reacted to the government's reported move to bifurcate the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to pave way for creating the third power utility in the form of a separate power generation company.

Asserting that the proposal, if implemented, would further deteriorate the fiscal health of the Power Corporation, majority of the industrialists are of the view that the state government must not take any such decision.

President of the Induction Furnaces Association, Mandi Gobindgarh, Mahinder Gupta said even unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board was not the wise decision. He said, "Already there is lack of coordination between the two power utilities — PSPCL and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited."

Naresh Gupta, president of the Patiala Industries Association, said that rather than carving out separate power generation company, the state government should pay attention towards streamlining the functioning of the PSPCL and the PSTCL. "It is important to first set the house in order. Unless the functioning of the two power utilities comes on track and the Punjab Government takes steps to bail out the Power Corporation from the debt, the creation of generation company is not going to make any positive impact," he added.

President, Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Punjab, PD Sharma said that it would be ridiculous to create another power utility at a time when the Power Corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy. General secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Avtar Singh said that majority of the industrialists were not in favour of creation of the power generation company. "Instead of power generation company, the state government should focus on ensuring that the skilled staff at the disposal of the two power utilities discharge their duties in a diligent manner. Besides, emphasis should be on cutting down the expenses," he opined.