PSPCL is providing poor consumer services - Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal

 Ludhiana ( Bhukhari Kalan ) , 27 January 2014 -
PSIEC , Punjab Small Industry and Export Corporation Former Vice Chairman, Advocate Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that our SAD-BJP Government has made several efforts to boost the industrial sector in Punjab state. Grewal said that due to these efforts of SAD-BJP Government as result several business houses are keen to invest in our Punjab. He said that now we have to check Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL ) which is providing poor services to the Consumers in Punjab. In a meeting with Kisan Morcha Workers here today, Grewal lashed out at Punjab State Power Corporation Limited for poor consumer services and absolute non-adherence of Standards of Performance mandated by Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) appointed by Government of Punjab. Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) has specified critical distribution parameters to provide efficient, reliable and safe system of Electricity through its regulations provided in its Supply Code. These Minimum Standards of Performance provides strict timelines to resolve various Consumer grievances viz. Normal Fuse Off, Overhead Line Breakdowns, Underground Cable Breakdowns, Distribution Transformer Failure, Power Transformer Failure, Street Light Faults, Period of Scheduled Outage, Voltage Fluctuations, Meter Complaints, Release of New Connection, Transfer of Title or Conversion of Services, Shifting of Meter/Service Connection and other Services, Complaints about Consumer’s Bills and restoration of Supply.
Grewal stated that Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) mandates a compensation to the Consumer in case of non-fulfillment of these Minimum Standards of Performance. Compensation varies from Rs 50/- to Rs 5000/- for each default for each Consumer. It is well known that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited neither fulfils these Minimum Standard of performance ( MSOP ) nor compensates any Consumer towards any such lapse whereas Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) mandates payment of such compensation by the way of adjustment in Electricity Bills. For instance, Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) mandates a normal fuse off complaint shall be addressed within 4 hours in cities, towns and urban areas and in case Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL ) fails to resolve the complaint within 4 hours, it shall remit Rs 50/- as compensation by the way of adjustment in the next bill of the Consumer.
Grewal added that Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) mandates registration of each and every complaint filed by the Consumer verbally, telephonically or in writing as per a duly approved Consumer Complaint Handling Procedure whereas there is hardly any such effective system in place to register and address consumer complaints. “According to the Annual Revenue Requirement ( ARR ) filed by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL ) with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ), it received only 2462 complaints in a year from over 65 Lac Consumers across Punjab whereas on an average more than 10000 complaints are received daily by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited which clearly means Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL ) had fudged Annual Revenue Requirement ( ARR ) figures to avoid compensation and save itself from the wrath of Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) ”, added Grewal.
Grewal stated that he will write to Shri Shanta Kumar MP ( Rajya Sabha ) Prabhari Punjab Pradesh, Shri Balramji Dass Tandon Sr. BJP Leader Punjab BJP, Sr Sukhbir Singh Badal President Shiromani Akali Dal ( SAD ), Deputy Chief Minister and Power Minister Punjab, Shri Kamal Sharma Punjab State President Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ), Shri Tikshan Sud Political Advisor to CM Punjab and also to Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) to pass strict instructions to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited ( PSPCL ) to ensure registration of each and every complaint and its quick resolution, adhere to the Minimum Standard of performance ( MSOP ) as mandated by Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission ( PSERC ) and compensate each and every Consumer in case of any failure on its part, which is very shameful.