New Delhi/Patiala: The Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) has substantially increased electricity supply to agricultural feeders across the state, with some feeders receiving up to 20 hours of power, as part of efforts to compensate farmers for a temporary supply shortfall experienced last week.
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According to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Basant Garg, the enhanced supply is being provided on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond.
He said the power situation in Punjab is now completely normal, and adequate arrangements have been made to meet the electricity requirements of the ongoing paddy cultivation season.
Garg clarified that between June 27 and June 30, some agricultural feeders received only six to seven hours of electricity instead of the scheduled eight hours.
He attributed the temporary disruption to a combination of factors, including record-high power demand during the intense heatwave and a strike by contractual workers at thermal power plants, which affected generation capacity.
Despite the challenging circumstances, PSPCL managed to maintain six to seven hours of supply to affected feeders by operating its system round-the-clock, he said.
He added that the situation has improved significantly following the withdrawal of the strike and the restoration of thermal power generation. Normal supply has now been restored across Punjab, and the utility has begun providing additional electricity to feeders that experienced the shortfall.
"On the directions of the Chief Minister, PSPCL has started supplying extra power to the affected agricultural feeders so that farmers receive full compensation for the temporary loss of supply. The government has taken a clear decision that farmers should not suffer because of an exceptional situation that was beyond anyone's control," Garg said.
He further stated that special operational measures have been put in place to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season.
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Field officers have been directed to closely monitor feeder-wise supply, optimise power availability, and promptly address local issues to ensure irrigation needs are met without disruption.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to the farming community, Garg said protecting farmers' interests remains a top priority.
He added that the state government is focused on maintaining a reliable electricity supply throughout Punjab and ensuring that every affected farmer receives the additional power required to make up for the temporary shortfall experienced during the last week of June.
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