Punjab halves service connection charges for power consumers load extension

As per the VDS, farmers would now have to deposit Rs 2,500 per BHP instead of the existing prescribed rate of Rs 4,750 per BHP.

In a major relief for power consumers in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Tuesday announced nearly 50 per cent reduction in service connection charges (SCC) for extension of load. The move will provide benefits worth Rs 150 crore to farmers and Rs 50 crore to domestic and commercial consumers.

In an official statement, the government said that PSPCL had submitted a petition to the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), following which a Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) had been launched for extension of load by farmers for tubewell motors, and for household and commercial load from August 27 to October 31, 2019.

As per the VDS, farmers would now have to deposit Rs 2,500 per BHP instead of the existing prescribed rate of Rs 4,750 per BHP.

Domestic consumers will have to pay SCC rate of Rs 225 to Rs 885 only as against the existing load-wise Service Connection Charges of Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1600, while Commercial consumers would have to now pay SCC rates of Rs. 500 to Rs. 800 only.