PSPCL reopens cash counters in Ludhiana

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, May 8

In pursuance of directions issued by its headquarters and permission from the state government, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has reopened its cash counters located at all 76 subdivisions in the Central Zone comprising Ludhiana district and Mandi Gobindgarh.

Stating this, the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Central Zone), Daljit Inder Pal Singh Grewal, said, all cash counters had gone operational for payment of electricity bills with strict instructions to the staff to ensure social distancing and taking all necessary precautions against coronavirus.

“We have put markings in front of all cash counters for consumers to maintain distance from each other. Employees have also been asked to wear masks and take precautions,” he added.

“Public dealing has also resumed at all PSPCL offices. Consumers can now visit offices for redressal of their complaints with regard to electricity bills, meter fault and all such works that require personal visit, albeit with the condition that everybody will maintain social distance and wear face masks,” he said.

Earlier, the PSPCL Chief Engineer (Commercial) had issued a commercial circular (21/2020 dated May 7, 2020) on Thursday directing all zonal heads in the state to reopen cash collection centres from May 8 (today) and also resume meter reading and spot billing work both being executed through in-house or outsourced facilities.

The circular stated that actual meter reading and spot billing activities would resume to reduce the burden of energy bills for four months on average basis or ‘trust reading’ basis done in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Zonal heads have been advised to discuss the issue with respective district authorities or police chiefs to work out a solution for meter reading in containment zones of restricted areas.

Officials of the PSPCL said directions were received from the Department of Power (Power Reforms Wing), Government of Punjab, (on May 7, 2020) asking the power utility to reopen cash collection centres and o resume work for meter reading, replacement of faulty meters, opening of stores/metering labs along with construction and maintenance activity.