Premium

HC asks PSPCL to explain surcharge to Ludhiana resident on bills issued in 1999

Court disposes of 26-year-old plea, says details must be shared within 30 days of payment

2 min readChandigarhJul 8, 2025 01:12 AM IST

The bills he challenged included one that covered expenses for merging the connections and another for the surcharge added between 1997 and 1999

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to give a Ludhiana resident a full explanation of how it calculated charges mentioned in two electricity bills sent to him in 1999.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by Hakumat Rai, who had approached the court 26 years ago, questioning the two demand notices issued in April and May 1999. He had also asked PSPCL to share the method it used to calculate a 20 per cent surcharge and other charges after he merged two electricity connections in his premises.

Rai had a Medium Supply (MS) electricity connection, and his son had another MS connection, both at the same address. In 1997, he applied to combine the two connections into one, under a scheme that allowed such mergers. A new account was issued under the Large Supply (LS) category, and Rai gave an affidavit agreeing to pay the conversion charges in six monthly instalments. However, he failed to make the payments. Later, in May 1999, he asked PSPCL to reduce the load again and was shifted back to the MS category.

The bills he challenged included one that covered expenses for merging the connections and another for the surcharge added between 1997 and 1999.

Rai’s lawyers told the court that despite several requests, the PSPCL never explained how the figures in the bills were calculated. They also said he had already paid around Rs 1.5 lakh, which should be taken into account.

The PSPCL’s lawyer argued that the bills were issued according to the rules and covered all applicable charges.

The court noted that the PSPCL had not yet shared any breakdown of the charges with Rai. It ordered the power corporation to provide full details within 30 days of the consumer paying the remaining amount, after deducting what he has already deposited.

Story continues below this ad

If Rai still has any concerns after receiving the details, he can take up the issue with the proper authority, the court said. It also clarified that any extra amount already paid by him must be adjusted in his future electricity bills.

With this ruling, the long-pending case was closed.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...