Ludhiana, May 23 -- Electricity complaint handling, billing operations and consumer services across Ludhiana have been disrupted after more than 220 outsourced employees of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in the central zone joined an indefinite strike from Wednesday midnight, intensifying pressure on the power utility during peak summer demand.

The strike, called by the Outsource Employees Federation Punjab as part of a statewide agitation involving nearly 1,700 workers, has affected key services, including nodal complaint centres (NCCs), customer relationship centres (CRCs), meter reading operations, suvidha centres and cash counters.

PSPCL officials admitted that the strike had worsened the manpower shortage at a time ...