Punjab tells large industries to shut operations till July 10 to overcome power shortage

Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 6

As the power situation continues to remain grim in Punjab, largescale industries have been asked to shut down operations for another three days, till July 10.

The orders for extending the power restrictions on largescale industries, using over 100 KW of load, in Central, North and West zones were issued by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) late Monday night. The continuous supply industry has also been asked to use just 50 per cent of the sanctioned load / contracted load, from July 8 to July 18. These units are so far allowed to use just 30 per cent of the contracted load.

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Even as the PSPCL continues to cater to the increase in agriculture load - thanks to the delayed monsoon- the industrial economy in the state is going for a six, because of the restrictions. Industrialists across the state are ruing about the huge losses they have to incur and are questioning the government rationale behind imposing cuts.

“For a unit having 50 workers, the per day loss is estimated at Rs 35,000. For how long can we sustain amid such losses. Is economy to be sacrificed at the altar of vote bank politics?,” questions Badish Jindal, president, Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association.

The state’s power average demand in this paddy season has increased to an average of 14500 MW, while the supply has remained static at 13200 MW. As the daily gap hovers between 1300-1500 MW, the state power utility has little option but to impose cuts. Unscheduled power cuts on domestic and commercial consumers.