In paddy season, industry to pay extra Rs 2 per kVAh for running units from 6 pm to 10 pm
Though the notification was issued on March 29, industrialists claimed that it was circulated a day before it was to be implemented.
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During the paddy season from June 16 to October 15 when farmers need dedicated power supply for at least eight hours a day. (File Photo)Industry will have to pay Rs 2 per kilovolt-ampere hour (kVAh) extra for running their units between 6 pm and 10 pm during the paddy season from June 16 to October 15 when farmers need dedicated power supply for at least eight hours a day.
Though the notification was issued on March 29, industrialists claimed that it was circulated a day before it was to be implemented. Condemning the move, industrialists said the authorities kept the notification in “hiding intentionally”.
Gurmeet Singh Kular, chairman of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (FICO), termed it an “additional burden on the industry”. “Though hiked in charges during peak load hours were imposed by the previous Congress government, the AAP is carrying it forward. The industry will have to pay the price for providing power to farmers for the paddy transplantation season, even as rice is not our staple food.”
Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings, said, “I am not even aware of the notification, they implemented this through backdoor. They never circulated the notification. Even now they are saying the notification has been kept pending. However, Rs 2 per kVAh charge is exorbitant and we oppose it.”
Upkar Singh, president of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), said, “Last year, they had imposed these charges, but we were aware of it in advance. However, imposing it till October 15 is not justified as irrigation to paddy fields ends in September. Hence, they should relook at the notification. Moreover, there is a deep recession in the market, which is a bigger issue. So, most units close by 6 pm.”
BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal said, “Bhagwant Mann’s AAP government is looting Punjab to fund elections! While Punjab reels under massive power cuts and extreme heat, the AAP government has shamelessly hiked electricity rates by Rs 2/kVAh (Rs 2.40 with tax) during peak hours (6-10 pm), crushing already struggling industries. AAP is draining Punjab’s pockets to fund freebies in other states. The people of Punjab will give a befitting reply by boycotting AAP. We demand an immediate rollback of this hike. This is not governance. This is exploitation.”
Notably, if a factory runs during night hours i.e. from 10 pm to 6 am, the consumer will get a rebate during off-peak hours.
However, there’s a limit on reducing energy charges. No matter how much rebate one qualifies for, the final energy charge cannot go below Rs 5.50 per kVAh. This rule will apply from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
This rule is applicable for running the unit during night hours, day time they will be charged normal charges said Kular.
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