Punjab wants time for PSEB

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to allow the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to continue as a State Transmission Utility and a Licensee for another six months till June 15, 2010, though the government would try to complete the process much before the onset of paddy season of 2010. It may be recalled that earlier the Centre had agreed to the request of the Punjab government for continuation of PSEB as a State Transmission Utility and a Licensee up to December 15, 2009.

In a letter to Shinde, Badal mentioned that the state government had initiated the process of consultations with the stakeholders and preparation of roadmap of restructuring of the state electricity board.

The CM pointed out that the consultations were inconclusive as yet though he had taken a number of meetings with the stakeholders and also with his senior colleagues to evolve consensus in the matter. He said he was sure that the steps initiated by his government in this regard would be successful soon.

“Nevertheless, we need some more time to conclude the process and achieve a meaningful restructuring of the Board,” wrote Badal.