A day after the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) gave nod to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to hike power tariff, resentment was witnessed among businessmen.

They said the hike was unjustified as they were already paying one of the highest power charges in the country and in the current scenario, when industry was facing several other problems, this would hit them badly.

On Tuesday, PSERC allowed a hike of 29 paisa per unit on industrial power consumers for one year, while giving verdict on the appeal filed by PSPCL to increase charges for all categories so that the corporation could bear the additional revenue requirement of Rs 1,400 crore.

GS Kahlon, president of Auto Parts’ Manufacturers’ Association, said, “It is shocking how PSPCL was allowed to put the burden of its mistakes on us. The actual cost of power for us has risen by 35 paisa as 6 paisa surcharge will be imposed on the 29-paisa hike. This hike has come at a worse time as the industry is already passing through a huge recession and facing increase in cost of labour and other inputs.”

Rajkumar Singla, president of Fastener Suppliers’ Association, Ludhiana, said, “Even after promising in its election manifesto three years ago, the Congress government has failed to give us power at Rs 5 per unit. Congress leaders have become mute spectators and are not raising voice against the atrocities on businessmen by departments like PSPCL. This government has failed to live up to the expectations of the business community, though it has been trying to project itself as our well-wisher.”

Inderjit Singh Navyug, former president of United Cycle and Parts’ Manufacturers’ Association, said, “It is a huge setback for the industry as already we are paying one of the highest power rates in the country. Now the burden of PSPCL’s losses has been put on us. This development has dented state government’s claims of creating an industry-friendly environment in Punjab. This certainly was not the right time to hike power rates as after March 31, 2020, another hike will take place. It’s time businessmen get together on one platform to oppose it.”