FICO seeks night tariff for industry

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27

The Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) has demanded that night tariff be introduced in the state. “Night tariff should be introduced at the rate of Rs 2.50 per unit for the industry. As Punjab is surplus state in terms of power and due to Covid-19, there is not much high demand for the electricity, especially at night. So, the benefit of surplus power should be provided to the industry in this hour of crisis,” said FICO president Gurmeet Singh Kular.

A FICO delegation met the new PSPCL (Central Zone) Chief Engineer Varinderpal Singh Saini and put forward demands of the industry. The delegation discussed pending industrial connections.

Systems running to capacity

“It has been observed that existing 66 Kv power feeding systems of Ludhiana are running to their maximum capacity. Moreover, Ludhiana is now a Smart City. Considering the growth of a Smart City, the demand of power is on the rise,” the delegation stated.

50 connections pending

“More than 50 industrial connections in the city are pending due to feasibility limitation of the existing grids of Ludhiana. The biggest industrial grids in Ludhiana – Dhandari-1 and Dhandari-2 – are running to their capacities. Another grid is proposed, but the work on the same is yet to be start,” the delegation added.

More revenue for PSPCL, govt

“The pending 50 industrial connections, once issued, will not only generate more revenue for the PSPCL, but also for the government in form of GST, property tax, octroi and other taxes. There is a need to upgrade the existing power distribution system of Ludhiana,” the delegation stated.

Provide power at Rs5 per unit

“The state government promised to provide electricity to the industry at Rs 5 per unit. Still, industrialists belonging to MSME sector, are getting electricity bills at Rs 10 to 15 per unit,” Kular said while adding that, “The state government should immediately look into the matter and provide electricity at Rs 5 per unit to the industry.”

FICO also demanded waiver of PSPCL fixed charges till March 31, 2021, to facilitate the industry in this hour of crisis.