PSEBEA suggests taxpayers and public servants should be debarred from subsidy

PATIALA: PSEB Engineers’ Association (PSEBEA), while welcoming the decision to withdraw a subsidy of Rs.3 per unit up to 7 KW load, has suggested that rich domestic consumers should not be given any subsidy as they are financially well off.

Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, General Secretary in a letter to the chief minister has suggested that domestic consumers who are income tax payers or in public service, either in the state or central sector should not be eligible for subsidy on electricity. Further subsidy shall be paid only to one connection in one premises. It has further suggested that consumers indulging in electricity theft should be debarred from taking any subsidies for 5 years.

The Punjab Government currently provides up to 80% subsidy for agricultural solar projects. To further promote renewable energy, similar subsidies should be extended to domestic consumers willing to surrender their free 300 units of electricity in favour of installing solar net metering systems. The subsidy to be given should be in addition to union government subsidies.

PSEBEA has pointed out that delayed payments of subsidy bills by the Punjab Government and non-payment of pending electricity dues of Rs. 3,600 crore by various departments, have affected the cash flows of PSPCL which is very important for meeting the increased demand. The government departments will be instructed to settle their electricity bills promptly.

Punjab government should release the f pending subsidy bills of Rs. 1,000 crore for financial year 2023-24 and 2024-25 along with the upcoming instalment of Rs. 1,800 crore for the past dues of Rs. 5,500 crore. Additionally, it is anticipated