2 min readLudhianaSep 27, 2011 03:40 AM IST
First published on: Sep 27, 2011 at 03:40 AM IST
Many feel Hira Singh Gabria’s direction to PSPCL is poll-induced
Keeping the assembly polls in mind,Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria on Monday ordered the Chief Engineer of Punjab state power corporation limited to release the electricity connections in 72 mixed land use colonies. Over 2000 applications are lying pending for more than a year.
PSPCL had stopped release of new connections and expansion of existing ones due to overloading of transformers and also to control mushrooming of industry in congested areas but Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir had opened this ban in May last,but hardly any connections had been released till now.
The chairman of United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) Manjit Singh Khalsa said,“The orders were not adhered to. For months together,the load was also not increased. But the Minister has now pressed upon the staff and we are hopeful of results soon.”
The PSPCL wanted to set up new transformers, and this proposal was rejected by industry because of congested lanes and than the existing transformers were upgraded. Now the upgradation work is almost over,so new connections can be released,earlier it was not viable,revealed PSPCL officials in today’s meeting.
The release of connections will start within a week. Gurmeet Singh Kular,President of UCPMA said,”majority of connections are regarding the increase in load of existing units and nearly 1400 applications are from Janta Nagar alone.”
Gabria who wants to woo the industry vote has categorically asked PSPCL to start releasing connections without any further delay.
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