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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Steep power bill increase comes as shock for Pkl residents
Residents of Panchkula have received electricity bills showing increase of 100% to 400% for the period from mid-April to mid-May, compared to the previous year, despite minimal changes in unit consumption. While the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission implemented a rate increase of 20 to 30 paise per kWh/kVAh for domestic and industrial categories, an analysis of various bills reveals disproportionate charges despite marginal increase in consumption. This has had a particularly adverse effect on middle-class families, the economically disadvantaged and pensioners. S K Nayar, Citizens' Welfare Association president from Sector 15, experienced a 145% increase in charges while maintaining similar consumption. His bill rose to Rs 2,042 for 210 units, compared to Rs 833 for 216 units in April 2024. "It is a loot of public money, and a wrong step was taken. Earlier, there used to be a minimum charge, and even if you went out of the city for a few months, the bill amount would not pinch you. But they are imposing fixed charges, which have burned a hole in the pockets of the common man," he rued. Sector 25 resident Mohit Gupta received a bill of Rs 5,641 for 668.25 units, while last April's bill was Rs 2,673 for 496.23 units. Despite lower consumption previously, this year's rate increase has resulted in substantially higher charges. Sant Singh Gill, former RWA president of Sector 25, saw his bill increase to Rs 3,745, as compared to Rs 1,286 last year, representing a 191% rise in charges against a 47% increase in consumption. Analysis shows varied impacts: Cases with abnormal consumption increases saw 430% higher bills, while 38% consumption increases resulted in 111% higher bills. Even with 21% reduced consumption, bills increased by 87%. Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVNL) chief engineer (Operations) Chandan Singh said, "The bills have been generated as per HERC's current rates. Some may have felt bills are higher because consumption has increased. As far as fixed charges are concerned, it is a certain amount for certain uses." The 2025-26 electricity order confirms rate increases of 20 to 30 paise per kWh/kVAh for both domestic and industrial categories in Haryana.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Panchkula water cooler project delayed as summer heat rises
1 2 For today (With pics) The temperature these days is hovering around 40 degrees Celsius, but the Panchkula municipal corporation is yet to complete the already-delayed installation of water coolers in various markets across the city. In fact, in some markets, the water coolers can be seen lying situation has deteriorated to the point where the water cooler structures built by the corporation a few months ago in Sector 15 now have advertisement hoardings on them. "The installation of a water cooler in each market in Panchkula was undertaken to provide fresh and cooled RO water to the public, for a fee. The installation work, carried out by a firm, began in mid-June 2024. However, no progress has been made since then to expedite the project. No electric connections have been released for these coolers, and no concrete action has been taken so far," lamented SK Nayar, president of the Citizens Welfare Association ."The structures installed at the marketplaces obstruct vehicular traffic significantly, and also look unsightly. Now, various organisations have started using these structures for advertisements. If the project is abandoned, the structures on the roads must be removed. Otherwise, the project should be completed as a top priority since the summer season is at its peak. It should not be left as it is," he said.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Panchkula parking contractor misses ‘final notice' deadline, continues ops
1 2 Panchkula: The parking contractor, who has been served a 'final notice' on the long-pending dues, will continue to operate the paid parking lots in Panchkula, at least for the April 15 deadline, the municipal corporation (MC)had issued a 'final notice' to the contractor, directing him to clear the pending licence fee or face contract MC officials told TOI that of the approximately Rs 1 crore pending amount, the contractor paid only about Rs 20,000 after being served the notice, apparently to save his job. The corporation seems to have bent, for reasons best known to it, and did not proceed with the termination as it had claimed at the time of serving the 'final notice'.During the MC house meeting held in March, it was resolved that the contractor should clear the amount by April 15, or else the contract would be Congress councillors had even threatened to close the paid parking lots in the markets themselves if the payment was not made by April 15. They accused the BJP-led MC of deliberately not acting against the contractor. However, as May approached, the opposition councillors were nowhere to be seen and remained silent on this issue. Meanwhile, the BJP-ruled MC seemed to have given yet another breather to the agency, as notices failed to recover the pending licence fee after to this, during a meeting of the revenue resolution committee of the MC in Nov last year, it was decided to cancel the contract if payment was not made. Nearly two months later, the contractor managing parking lots in sectors 8, 9, and 10 paid part of the total amount, ie, Rs 55 lakh, to the corporation to save his job. However, about Rs 1 crore was still on the issue, SK Nayar, president of the Citizens' Welfare Association, Panchkula, said, "When visitors to the markets are paying the parking fee to the MC, what stops the contractor from paying the licence fee for operating these spaces? The MC giving new deadlines every time shows it is not serious about recovering the amount and raises serious questions about the working of the MC. Why should he be allowed to continue operating if he is defaulting on fee? Who will be responsible if he runs away without making the payment?"When TOI contacted Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, he said, "He has submitted some amount, and officers are seeing what is to be done next."MC commissioner Aparajita said, "After being issued the notice, he submitted Rs 20,000 and has requested to continue operating, assuring that he will clear the entire amount by Nov when the contract ends. He has given a representation in this regard to the mayor, who is looking into it."The MC remains elusive about the time period of the notice and the exact total amount the agency has to DeadlinesNov 2024: Revenue resolution committee of MC in Nov last year decided to cancel the contract if payment was not madeMarch 2025: MC house sets another April 15 deadlineMay 2026: Pending amount still not cleared; no action taken
