Asks to ensure maximum power generation from all sources

Reviewing the coal and power arrangements required for the upcoming paddy season, Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to generate maximum power from all sources and ensure regular supply of power for direct sowing of paddy.

Stressing upon the need for providing uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season, the Minister asked the senior officials to make necessary arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the season so that farmers could get power supply as per stipulated time limit.

The Minister, presiding over the meeting attended by Principal Secretary Power Tejvir Singh, PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director Baldev Singh Sran, Director Distribution DPS Grewal, and other senior officers of PSPCL, reviewed the arrangements of coal and power required for the upcoming paddy season.

Directing PSPCL for increasing manpower to strengthen complaint redressal system and de-loading overloaded grids, lines, and transformers, the Minister asked PSPCL to ensure maximum power generation.

Further, the Power Minister directed the PSPCL to ensure regular power supply to the agriculture sector for direct sowing of rice as per schedule notified by the government.

At the same time, he also appealed to the farmers for adopting direct sowing of paddy asking them to co-operate in saving groundwater by adopting the technique and avail the benefit of subsidy of Rs 1500 per acre being provided by the State Government.

Giving instructions to control the menace of theft of electricity in the State, the Minister also exhorted the officers to synergize their efforts to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply to all categories of consumers in the state.