Chief secy led panel to look into free power supply to Gaushalas
PSPCL HAD STOPPED FREE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO GAUSHALAS ON JUNE 19 OVER GOVERNMENT DUES
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab government to form a committee comprising the state’s chief secretary and the chairman of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to look into the demand of guashala owners of free electricity.
The high court bench of justice Rajan Gupta acted on a bunch of pleas filed by gaushalas from different districts challenging hefty power bills that the PSPCL has imposed.
On June 19, 2018, the PSPCL had issued a circular whereby free electricity supply to registered gaushalas in the entire state was stopped, on the grounds that the government had not provided budgetary provisions for free electricity. The gaushalas were also slapped recovery notices of arrears from 2016.
They had argued that Punjab imposed cow cess on various items/services through the local bodies under section 7 of Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, and is collecting a huge amount from citizens for the purpose of welfare of uneconomical cows.
On the contrary, the state was not providing budget for free electricity supply to gaushalas and it amounts to unjust enrichment of the state government which is unconstitutional, the court was told. The government has imposed two paise per unit cow cess on consumption of electricity, thus the amount collected through the imposition of cow cess should have been used for the purpose of providing free electricity, the court was told. In March 2016, the government had notified free electricity to gaushalas. Justice Gupta directed that the committee thus formed will look into the matter within two months. The government assured the court that the pending decision of the committee on the recovery of dues shall not be affected, and the supply of electricity shall not be disconnected till the authorities take a decision.
We have arrested the main accused. Raids are on to arrest his accomplices. JAGDEV SINGH, Channo police post in-charge