PSERC take a serious view of meter shortage
October 15, 2012 12:48 PM
By Vinod Gupta
CHANDIGARH: Taking a serious view of non-availability of meters with Punjab State power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL) Punjab State electricity regulatory commission (PSERC) has directed it to file detailed reply by October 23.

The commission was hearing a petition filed by Gurnek Brar, a retired PSEB engineer against non-availability of single phase energy meters in Punjab. He submitted before the commission that PSPCL has nil stock of meters leading to delay of months in releasing new connections and replacement of dead and defective meters. Further PSPCL is not allowing installation of private meters so that consumers are not harassed.

PSPCL contended that the utility hope to receive first installment of about 80000 meters in next 20 days. The power utility has not purchased meters for the last 18 months, even though a committee has been functional under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer, metering. PSPCL has run out of stock of single phase meters, mostly used for domestic consumers.

Gurnek Brar had contended in petition that from April to June 2012, the number of pending test reports have increased from 10411 to 27233 which is primarily due to the non-availability of single phase meters for releasing new connections. Over two lakh meters would be required just to clear the key exceptions and for releasing of connections against pending test reports for period ending June.

The next date of hearing in this case is October 30.