Shortage of meters: PSERC seeks reply
Yogindra Mohan

Patiala

Taking a serious view of non-availability of meters with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has directed it to file a 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 had zero stock of meters leading to delay of months in releasing new connections and replacement of dead and defective meters. Further, the PSPCL was not allowing installation of private meters so that consumers were not harassed.

The PSPCL contended that the utility hopes to receive first installment of about 80,000 meters in the next 20 days. The power utility had not purchased meters for the last 18 months, even though a committee has been functional under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer, metering. The PSPCL has run out of stock of single phase meters, mostly used for domestic consumers.

Gurnek Brar had contended in the petition that from April to June 2012, the number of pending test reports had increased from 10,411 to 27,233 which was primarily due to the non-availability of single phase meters for releasing new connections.

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