Gaushalas got free power without PSERC go-ahead

Patiala : Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is in a spot over extending free/subsidised power to various category of consumers following a verbal commitment by the SAD-BJP government.
As a result, there is no clarity as to who will foot the subsidy bill of nearly Rs 16 crore. Besides gaushalas, the PSPCL allowed subsidy running into crores of rupees to flood-affected villages in politically important constituencies and to mushroom farmers without any written orders.
All these consumers are fearing that they might be issued power bills and have to clear the arrears as well.
Official sources said the PSPCL allowed Rs 4.7-crore subsidy to gaushalas, Rs 11.17 crore to flood-affected villages and another Rs 50 lakh to mushroom farmers in violation of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) rules and the Electricity Act.
As per the Electricity Act, the state can subsidise any category of the consumer by paying in advance the subsidy amount to the utility. For that, it has to take a prior permission from the PSERC.While no such permission was taken, the PSPCL issued circulars allowing free power to these consumers only to find itself in a tight spot as the government is not clearing the subsidy bills.