CHANDIGARH, November 19 —Under its anti-corruption agenda, the Mann government has eliminated the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) for new electricity connections in Punjab, a move officials say will save applicants months of paperwork and end a long-standing source of harassment.
The change marks a significant departure from an older system that required multiple documents, repeated visits to government offices and, most notoriously, the NOC — a step that often stalled applications indefinitely. Residents, farmers and senior citizens had routinely complained that the requirement made even basic access to electricity a prolonged struggle.
The government said the new policy is intended to deliver immediate relief. Under the revised rules, applicants will now need to submit only two documents: the Registry or Lease Deed as proof of ownership or occupancy, and a valid identity proof. No authority or agency can demand any additional certification.
Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora confirmed the overhaul and described the decision as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to transparency and ease of living. “The NOC is now entirely obsolete for any new electricity connection,” he said. “This step directly cuts corruption and unnecessary delay.”
Arora said the earlier process had also contributed to widespread illegal power tapping known as “kundi connections,” as frustrated citizens resorted to shortcuts when approvals took months. “When people wait endlessly for a legal connection, they turn to illegal means. That leads to penalties and disputes that keep escalating,” he added. He noted that simplifying the procedure addresses the root of the problem and reduces incentives for tampering with power lines.
The government said the policy shift is more than an administrative correction — it is a statement that governance must be responsive to ordinary families. Officials said the change is expected to help farmers obtain immediate power access for their fields and ensure that new households are connected without delay.
“This is governance that listens,” an official noted, adding that the reform underlines the administration’s pledge to keep public interest above “files, recommendations or middlemen.”
The Mann government said it hopes the simplified process will set the tone for further reforms aimed at making everyday services easier, transparent and corruption-free, ensuring electricity reaches homes, fields and shops without bureaucratic hurdles.
