PATIALA: Every employee has been given a token salary of Rs. 30000 and pensioners given Rs.20000 only by PSPCL/PSTCL due to the cash crunch being faced by power utilities of Punjab.
A joint protest rally was organised on the main gate of PSPCL head office at Patiala by PSEB Engineers Association, Joint Forum, JE Council, Bijli Mulajam Ekta Manch, Accounts Association, HR Officers Association in protest against non- payment of current subsidy bills, pendency of previous subsidy bills of 5400 crores, non- payment of bills to the tune of 3100 crores by various government departments, which has led to deteriorating financial health of power sector and now non disbursement of salaries to its employees, creating industrial unrest.
Jasvir Singh Dhiman, President of the association informed that this is unprecedented in the history of PSPCL/PSTCL, that both corporations have been unable to pay the salaries and pensions of its employees. He said that the Punjab government is one of the biggest defaulters of PSPCL, in terms of non- payment of electricity bills for its own establishments. Bills of around 3100 Cr are pending with various departments.
Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, General Secretary of Association said that the Association has been continuously raising concern regarding the increasing share of subsidies in the revenues of PSPCL. Almost 45% of PSPCL revenue is dependent on timely payments of subsidy bills by the Punjab Government. PSPCL has to buy expensive power from the market at 10/- per unit during peak hours, further deteriorating the financial position.
Association demanded that if the Punjab Government is unable to afford the subsidy bill then the government must review its subsidy policy, as the Financial health of PSPCL is deteriorating due to non -payment of subsidy bills, non -payment of govt department bills to the tune of 3100 crores and high-cost power purchase agreements.
During the protest rallies at Patiala members of the Association resolved that if proactive steps are not taken by the management and Punjab government agitation will be intensified.