Punjab upstages Haryana in Power reforms
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 27

Power position

Punjab has fared far better than Haryana in initiating power reforms despite having been slow in implementing the process.

Despite its slow start, Punjab has achieved much better results in terms of introducing power reforms than Haryana. Documents and reports of power utilities of both states suggest that Punjab is doing much better in the power sector - be it curtailing the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, implementing RAPRDP scheme, optimising the performance of thermal plants or reducing the annual commercial loss.

The AT&C losses in Haryana currently stand at 25 per cent, whereas the losses are much lower at 17.6 per cent in Punjab. In the past five years, the Powercom has brought down the AT&C losses from 22.5 per cent to 17.6 per cent.

Though the total debt of Haryana and Punjab stands at Rs 18,000 crore, Punjab has successfully managed to bring down the annual commercial losses from Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 250 crore.

PSPCL CMD KD Chaudhri said the power bill dues to be recovered from consumers in the state currently stood at Rs 500. Reports indicate that the power arrears in Haryana stand at Rs 8,000 crore.

One of the main factors that has helped Punjab achieve better results is the check on power theft.

“The setting up of zone-wise anti-theft police stations and efficient working of the vigilance wing and related departments have considerably brought down incidences of power theft,” said Chaudhri, adding that the shifting of power meters outside the houses had made the difference.

Punjab is leading the race among the northern states in terms of implementing the Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme (RAPDRP) scheme. While Punjab has successfully implemented “part A” of the project, Haryana is yet to finalise the structure.

Impressed with the performance of Punjab in the power sector, the top brass of the Haryana power utilities have approached the Powercom authorities to take a lesson or two, say sources.