Mohali, Aug 2 — A major policy reversal – the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will now accept both online and offline applications for new electricity connections across the Mohali circle, following public backlash and a reported violation of regulatory norms.
The change comes after it was revealed that PSPCL offices in Mohali, Zirakpur, Mullanpur, Banur, Dera Bassi, and Lalru were accepting only online applications, in defiance of Clause 3.3 of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) Supply Code, 2024, which allows consumers to submit applications either online or offline.
Responding to the violation, the PSPCL Chief Engineer (South), Patiala, issued a circular on Friday mandating that no consumer be denied a new connection for lacking access to online services. All Deputy Chief Engineers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the PSERC code across their respective divisions.
To make the process more consumer-friendly and reduce dependency on touts, help desks have been established at PSPCL offices including those in Mohali and Zirakpur. Staffed by trained personnel, these desks offer free guidance and assistance to applicants — either by walking them through the online process or submitting the application on their behalf.
“This initiative is meant to eliminate the role of middlemen, improve transparency, and shield applicants from exploitation,” said a senior PSPCL official.
The previous digital-only approach had left hundreds of applicants stranded daily, with long queues, lack of tokens, and no proper assistance. Many waited for four to six hours, only to be turned away.
In another key update, PSPCL clarified that under the new PSERC Supply Code, 2024, submission of a test report is now mandatory for all Domestic Supply (DS) connections, irrespective of load. Earlier, this requirement applied only to connections above 20 kW. The corporation has approached the regulatory commission seeking relief on this provision.
ER Inderpal Singh, Director (Distribution), PSPCL, reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to consumer rights. “We have zero tolerance for corruption. Consumers should immediately report any cases of bribery or harassment,” he said.
