PATIALA: As per directions of the State Government, Punjab State Electricity Board has decided to allow 200 units of free electricity per month to the domestic consumers belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) with connected load upto 1000 watts. 

The chairman of PSEB, Y.S.Ratra stated this in a statement released here on wednesday and also added that according to State government there are 4.44 lakh BPL families out of which nearly 64% belong to Scheduled Caste category and as such are already availing the benefit of free electricity upto 200 units per month.  Now the Govt. has decided to extend the benefit of free electricity upto 200 units per month to the remaining 1.60 lakh Non.S.C BPL families subject to the condition that their connected load is within the limit of 1000 Watts.

This benefit will be admissible w.e.f. 1.12.06.  Ratra said that with this, the benefit of free electricity will be extended to poorest of poor families and the Backward Classes in the State.

He further informed that this concession will cost the Board Rs.120 crores, annually and Punjab Government
would provide equivalent amount as subsidy to compensate the Board. 
           
Eligible consumers should submit their requests to the concerned Sub-Divisional Officer/Distribution
alongwith the requisite certificate in respect of BPL Status issued by Competent Authority, at the earliest,
to enable the Board to extend this benefit to them.