Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Punjab government has launched two dedicated helpline numbers to address consumer complaints related to incorrect or inflated electricity bills. Officials said complaints registered through the helplines will be resolved within 15 days.

Punjab Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh said the initiative aims to ensure quick redressal of electricity-related grievances and make government services more accessible to consumers. Electricity consumers can register complaints by calling 1613105055 or 1616650355.

A team of 20 employees has been deployed to manage the helplines, record complaints and coordinate their resolution. Consumers can also lodge electricity-related complaints through the PSPCL Consumer Services App.

The government has also identified 63,702 consumers who either received higher-than-expected bills or were unable to avail the benefit of Punjab’s 300 units of free electricity subsidy.

According to the Power Minister, these consumers were billed on the basis of average consumption during the meter readers’ strike, resulting in the subsidy for May and June not being reflected in their bills.

To address the issue, the government will reprocess all affected bills and issue revised bills within the next three working days. Consumers who have already paid the higher amount will have the excess payment adjusted in their subsequent electricity bills.

State government said the newly launched helpline service will play a key role in ensuring timely resolution of such billing disputes and improving consumer satisfaction.