Breaking: PSPCL puts power disconnections on hold over incorrect, inflated bills
Consumers Won’t Face Disconnection for Defaults Caused by Billing Errors
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), September 28, 2026: In a major relief to electricity consumers facing incorrect or inflated bills, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has directed its field offices to keep disconnection of domestic supply (DS) connections in abeyance where the default is linked to erroneous billing.
The relief will remain in force until the billing system is stabilised and incorrect or inflated bills are corrected.
According to an order issued by the Director/Distribution, PSPCL, the recent strike by meter readers and the ongoing migration from SAP/Non-SAP systems to the Oracle-based Smart Billing System (SBS) have resulted in a number of domestic consumers being billed on an average or assumptive basis.
As a result, some consumers have received bills that do not correspond to their actual electricity consumption. These incorrect amounts are subsequently being reflected in the system as outstanding or defaulting dues, potentially making the affected connections liable for disconnection.
Taking note of the complaints and hardship faced by consumers, PSPCL has ordered that no disconnection action be taken against domestic consumers on account of such defaults until the billing system is stabilised and the erroneous bills are corrected.
The Corporation has directed all concerned field offices to ensure strict compliance with the order and not initiate disconnection proceedings in cases covered by the directive.
The order effectively protects consumers from losing electricity supply merely because an outstanding amount has been generated due to a billing error rather than their actual consumption.
The directive has been issued to all Chief Engineers of PSPCL’s Distribution and Supply Zones. A copy has also been marked to the SE/OSD to the CMD, PSPCL, Patiala.