Chandigarh: In a big gift to the domestic electricity consumers of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today announced One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) for 100 percent waiver of penalty and interest on outstanding electricity bills till March 31, 2026. This scheme will benefit 24.86 lakh consumers, whose fines and interest worth Rs 518 crore will be waived off. With this, consumers will be able to pay their dues through easy installments. Even disconnected electricity connections will be restored after payment of the principal amount, which will bring great relief to families across Punjab.
Our government is truly a government of the common people – Chief Minister
The Chief Minister said on the social media platform More consumers will get direct benefits and their disconnected electricity connections will also be waived off. Our government is truly a people's government.
To stand strong with people in difficult times
Addressing the same press conference, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this initiative is another decisive step towards ensuring that financial difficulties do not become an additional burden on ordinary families. He said the government believes that governance is not just about collecting revenue, but also standing firmly with the people in difficult times. He said, “Many families could not pay their electricity bills due to financial constraints and the burden of accrued interest and penalties kept increasing. We have decided to give them a fresh opportunity to clear their dues without the additional burden of penalties and interest.”
The Chief Minister said that the scheme will benefit 24.86 lakh domestic consumers with outstanding electricity bills worth about Rs 2,516 crore, of which Rs 518 crore is being waived off by the state government. He said, “This is not just financial assistance, but a commitment to make life easier for common households. Now consumers will have to pay only the principal amount of the bills, while the entire burden of late fee surcharge and interest will be waived off.”
Explaining the payment method, he said that eligible consumers will have to deposit 25 percent of their outstanding principal amount in one go, while the remaining 75 percent can be paid in a maximum of six equal monthly installments. He further said that consumers facing financial difficulties can also take additional time of six months to make their payments. “We want to ensure that no family is deprived of this opportunity due to financial constraints. The easy payment system will allow consumers to easily clear their dues without facing the burden of accrued penalties and interest,” the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the scheme will cover all domestic electricity consumers, regardless of whether their electricity connections are operational or disconnected at the moment. “Consumers whose electricity connections have been disconnected can also avail this opportunity. Once they pay the principal amount outstanding under the scheme, their disconnected connections will be eligible for resumption,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the scheme will cover all outstanding electricity dues up to March 31, 2026, and will remain operational for 45 days from the issue of the commercial circular. He said that a notification in this regard will be issued on Saturday, November 14, after which the scheme will be implemented immediately. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann appealed to all eligible domestic electricity consumers to avail the scheme and clear their dues during the stipulated 45 days time.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will provide special OTS to all eligible consumers within the next seven days. (One Time Settlement Scheme) will send bills and notices. These bills will clearly reiterate the total outstanding amount, the surcharge and interest being waived and the principal amount payable under the scheme. “The entire process has been designed to ensure maximum convenience and transparency. Every eligible consumer will get a clear account of their dues, the amount to be waived off and the repayments required to avail the benefits of the scheme,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the payment process has also been made simple and consumer-friendly, in which the revised amount will be automatically updated in the system as soon as the online payment is made. The updated details will be reflected in the consumer's online account as well as in the revised electricity bill. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Consumers will not have to go through unnecessary procedures. Once the online payment is made, the revised balance will be automatically updated and reflected in the system.”
Reiterating the government's commitment towards public welfare, he said, “Every decision of the government is driven by the objective of benefiting the common people. The waiver of Rs 518 crore will give lakhs of families an opportunity to come out of the burden of accumulated electricity dues and clear their accounts through a simple and convenient system.”
Appealing to all eligible domestic electricity consumers to take full advantage of the scheme, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our government is committed to the welfare of every section of the society and is leaving no stone unturned to improve the lives of the people. The ultimate objective of the government is to ensure that the benefits of development reach every household and people continue to receive meaningful support from the state government.