PSPCL: Industry to have more offs

PATIALA: The power scenario is going from bad to worse in Punjab, with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) increasing power regulatory measures on various categories of the industry.

As per a new notification, the weekly offs for the general industry have been increased from two to three days, whereas the weekly offs for the arc/induction furnaces and rolling mills have been increased from three to four days.

Arun Verma, director (distribution), PSPCL, said the regulatory measures had been imposed in view of the shortage of power in the market.
“We are compelled to do so. There is an acute shortage of power in the market. The rates at which the PSPCL used to purchase power from the northern grid at the unscheduled interchange have also crossed our limit,” said Verma, adding that the poor monsoon was worsening the problem.

As per figures obtained from the PSPCL, the availability of power in the state on Sunday was 1,905 lakh units (LU) against the demand of 2,164 LU.

Sources said the PSPCL had increased the weekly offs for the industry to provide relief to the domestic sector.