Chandigarh, Dec 15: Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora has assured that all pending power subsidy dues to PSPCL will be cleared by the end of the fiscal year, even as total arrears have crossed ₹10,000 crore.
“I am not aware of the exact figures, but the AAP government is paying far more to PSPCL than the previous government,” Arora said. “We have already cleared ₹5,000 crore of legacy payments inherited from the Congress regime. We are committed to providing free power to domestic consumers and farmers and subsidised rates to industrial users.”
The mounting arrears have raised concerns among PSPCL staff and engineers. The PSEB Engineers’ Association recently wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, warning that the corporation is “pushed to the brink of virtual bankruptcy” and that unpaid electricity subsidy of around ₹10,500 crore, along with outstanding departmental bills of ₹2,500 crore, has eroded public confidence.
Despite repeated attempts, PSPCL secretary-cum-CMD Basant Garg could not be reached for comment.
The state government provides free power to the agricultural sector, 300 free units to domestic users, and subsidised tariffs to industries. Officials said the subsidy delay has affected PSPCL’s ability to plan summer power purchases, manage energy banking, and execute routine infrastructure projects.
Arora added that the finance department will release more dues in the coming days, ensuring no financial crunch for the corporation before the fiscal year ends.
