The Punjab Transparency and Accountability Commission has imposed a ₹ 50,000 penalty on Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) amid billing-related lapses reportedly affecting around 37 lakh consumers, putting the spotlight on wider deficiencies in the power utility’s billing and service-delivery system.
The commission has also sought an explanation from PSPCL’s director (distribution) Inderpal Singh, and warned that continued non-compliance could invite further action under the Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Delivery of Public Services Act, 2018.
Inderpal Singh, director (Distribution), PSPCL, admitted that the penalty had been imposed and said the billing cycle was now running smoothly. When asked about delays in installing electricity meters within the prescribed time frame, he said the strike had resulted in a backlog, which was being cleared.
Data migration and software issues led to incorrect meter-readings in some cases. Bills showing consumption substantially above normal levels will now be flagged and withheld for verification, Sond stated. The corporation maintained that provisional bills were generated where regular meter readings could not be recorded and that adjustments would be made after subsequent verification.
Last month, power minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond assured that around 64,000 consumers who received provisional electricity bills during the April-July meter readers’ strike would not lose their 300-unit free power benefit. He stated billing problems had emerged after PSPCL shifted from its earlier systems applications and products in data processing (SAP) and non-SAP systems to a unified single billing system in January 2026.
It also said corrective measures were being taken to improve and stabilise billing operations.
