PSPCL mulls `optimum' use of vacant land
Vishal Rambani
PATIALA:

Personally, I am against sale of the land.

The expressions of interest have been called for generating income from the vacant land KD CHAUDHRI PSPCL CMD

Toeing the line of the Punjab government, the cashstrapped Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has decided to make 'optimum' use of its vacant land.
The PSPCL has invited consultants to suggest ways to make the best possible use of the land at its disposal. It to get studies done for nearly 100 acres of land.

Expressions of interest have been invited from consultants with regard to PSPCL's 55.58acre land at Badungar village near railway crossing 23 in Patiala and for 30-acre land in Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant colony at Bathinda.

The objective behind roping in consultants is to carry out demand assessment survey and best land use study in order to finalise the manner in which the land can be used to generate maximum revenue, said an official. He added that the option of selling the land was also open.

The Punjab government in 2007 had drawn the optimum use of vacant government land policy. As nothing much was achieved except for the sale of land to generate revenue, the Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers' Association (PSEBEA) has expressed apprehensions over this new policy of the PSPCL.

“We have strong reservations over the policy of optimum use of land, as it is a way to sell the land as it happened in case of the Punjab government's policy,“ said HS Bedi, PSEBEA president.

“The power corporation had acquired land for setting up power generation plants, transmission centres and offices. There are several technologies, which can be used to set up a mini-thermal plant. It can be done with the Bathinda land,“ he added.

Denying that they had plans to sell the land, PSPCL CMD KD Chaudhri said, “We are only seeking consultancy for optimum use of vacant land. Personally I am against the sale of the land. The expressions of interest have been called for generating income from the vacant land.“

Meanwhile, five consultants from New Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai have approached the corporation. A final decision in this regard would be taken by next week.