Punjab & Electricity

     Punjab State had privilege of most prosperous state of country in the past, now from several years facing acute shortage of one of the element of modern times that is Power. As per reports there is huge gap between demand and supply which is not only in the summer season but also in the winter season when demand drops significantly, so if electricity board is unable to meet the demand in winter season of power then it mean throughout year residents of state spend time under power cuts and this year was the second consecutive year when power shedding was in force in the winter season which was unschedule and undeclared by the authorities, which as per concerned authority of State Electricity Board power purchased from other states in the summer season was on banking system means it has to be return in winter ,as their demand increases, so fact of the matter is that residents of state has to bear the power crisis and live under load shedding until and unless any new power plant not erect in the state. Winter season load shedding leave little impact on lives as compare to summer season when life become haywire because of –

• Scorching unbearable heat because of mercury touches new levels.
• Last year heavy power cuts which as per reports counted to somewhere thirteen to fifteen hours in a day across state.
• Badly effected students because these are the days when they prepare for their final exams

adding insult to injury Punjab State Regulatory Commission hike prices last year in the month of October but revision was effective from the month of April and it was collected from them in equal installments in coming bills, but if anybody have right to ask from authorities if customers not get electricity in the month of April for thirteen to fifteen hours then what’s the logic that they pay more money on to the service whom they have not get? Answer of this query is that Government is giving free or subsidies power to some sections of society but putting the burden of this exercise on to other categories like domestic and industrial.
      Now this practice of Electricity board to issue bills with arrears are again started and latest electricity bills board is issuing with increase price, but when people enquire from boards concerned department they get information that prices of power is hike from April month and next six bills customers will get with arrears; along with it Government in this year budget has revised tax from ten percent to thirteen just to meet the free power sops,. the frustrated angel of revision in the tax slab is that other states have taxes on electricity just to increase production of power in their respective states but Punjab state has force tax to meet the subsidies and free power, that’s not all, speculations are in the air that coming days Punjab State Electricity Commission is preparing to increase rates further Alliance partner is equally responsible for the crisis of power in state. People has question for Government ,which they never get chance to ask that is if they unable to get power twenty four hours in winter season then how common people of the state will spend the time in coming summer season without power? In coming years to get power supply for twenty four hours appears a dream which will remain a dream for next several years until and unless power generation not increase otherwise situation is getting worse with every passing time as far electricity is concern, in the state because it will not be over with austerity measures but new power plants have to be erect in the state. Last year was not good in the summer season; hopefully this year Government has make arrangements to leave behind worst of last year.