Chandigarh, Sept. 17 -- Punjab's 300-unit free power scheme has enabled nearly 90% of the state's domestic electricity consumers to receive subsidised power, with a large majority getting zero bill. At the same time, the state exchequer is paying nearly Rs.16,000 crore to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and other government departments towards power subsidy.

This comes even as the power utility collected around Rs.4,700 crore from some domestic consumers, besides commercial and industrial consumers, through various electricity-linked cess and statutory levies during 2025-26.

Certified PSPCL records obtained under the RTI Act show that the Rs.4,700 crore was collected through electricity duty, Infrastructure Development Fu...