Punjab CM Amarinder Singh welcomes reduction in power tariff

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has welcomed the decision of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) to reduce the domestic power tariff despite the revenue gap resulting from the Covid lockdown.
The CM said he hoped that the rates would be further rationalised in future, adding that while his government had recommended even further reduction in tariff not just for the domestic consumers but also for industry, the PSERC had been unable to accommodate the state’s request in view of the steep fall in revenue collection. In April alone, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had suffered losses to the tune of Rs 30 crore a day on account of the total shutdown of business and industry, he noted.
Pointing out that the process of rationalisation of domestic tariff had been carried out for the first time in many years in the state, Amarinder said even with the current reduction in load up to 50 kW (50 paise per unit and 25 paise per unit for consumption slabs of 0 to 100 units and 101 to 300 units respectively) would give relief of Rs 354.82 crore to 69 lakh domestic consumers. The most benefitted were the poorer section of the society who had been the worst affected by the pandemic, he added.