As Punjab govt plans to sell properties to shore up funds, row over 50 acres of PSPCL land identified for sale
As per the minutes of a meeting held by Chief Secretary K A P Sinha on October 1, the government has decided to give away various properties of the PSPCL to the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority.
Short of funds, the Punjab Government is planning to generate resources by selling its properties, and it has identified 26 sites for sale in Ludhiana alone, spread across 124.34 acres, of which 50 acres belong to the State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
The land parcels are being sold under the Optimum Use of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) Scheme. However, the sale of PSPCL properties has triggered a row after power engineers objected to the government’s move.
Over the last week, the government has taken action against two senior PSPCL officials. While Harish Sharma, the chief engineer of Guru Gobind Singh Thermal Plant at Ropar, was suspended, PSPCL director (generation) Harjit Singh was terminated from service. Though the government has stated that this was because the power generated by the two state-run plants was more expensive than private thermal plants, it is alleged that the action comes after the engineers resisted the move to sell PSPCL land.
10 PSPCL properties identified
As per the minutes of the meeting held by Chief Secretary K A P Sinha on October 1, PSPCL decided to give away 10 pieces of its land in different locations, measuring a total of 50 acres, to the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). The sites include Power Colony Number 2 in Sarabha Nagar (21.04 acres), GT Road (13.25 acres), Power Colony Number 1 in Sarabha Nagar (11.12 acres), CMC Division (2.92 acres), land at BRS Nagar (1.189 acres), land at Pakhowal Road (0.698 acres), and a three-storey building near Fountain Chowk (0.225 acres), among others.
The engineers have been stating that these lands are worth crores and the department would never be able to purchase such properties in the future amid skyrocketing property prices. The government has, however, directed the department to hand over the property to GLADA, stating that these lands were unutilised or underutilised.
The properties discussed in the meeting included 8.18 acres of land belonging to the Water Resources Department in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ludhiana. Additionally, colonies under the Public Works Department (PWD) – 3.51 acres and 1.7 acres near the Commissioner’s office – are also being considered.
‘Govt’s actions could endanger existence of PSPCL, PSTCL’
In 2010, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) was split into two separate entities: the PSPCL, which handles power generation and distribution, and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd (PSTCL), which manages the state’s transmission network.
Story continues below this ad
The PSEB Engineers’ Association, led by Jasvir Singh Dhiman, said they have taken a unanimous decision to oppose the move to sell or lease valuable lands and assets of the power sector. “It has been decided that all employees, engineers, and officers will oppose this move to sell properties in the name of monetisation, where our power houses, offices, stores are situated, and some vacant lands that would otherwise be used for the department’s future growth for providing electricity services to the public.”
“These actions could endanger the very existence of PSPCL and PSTCL. Demonstrations would also be held against the government’s attempt to sell off valuable lands of the power sector under the name of monetisation. The leadership of all unions has issued a warning that if any attempt is made that may cause harm to the department’s properties or assets, then all unions across Punjab will launch immediate protests,” Dhiman added.
Other properties on the list
Other properties identified to be sold include the seed farm in Ladhowal, the total area of which remains to be calculated, and land belonging to the Veterinary Hospital in Barewal, which will be shifted to another location.
Meanwhile, the Civil Surgeon’s office, which owns three acres of land, had requested the government not to take possession of it. The request was subsequently approved. Other sites delisted
Story continues below this ad
Other properties identified for sale include the Group Housing Scheme land on Canal Road, the Water Resources Department’s rest house in Rampur (5.4 acres), Pink Plaza Old Police Station site (3.1 acres) near Chaura Bazaar, commercial site of the old District Court (10.63 acres) and a plot on Jail Road in front of the old hospital (5.11 acres). The reserve prices of these properties would be revised as it was stated to be too high, officials said.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More
