Ludhiana, May 5 -- Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is facing a severe manpower shortage, with only 1,568 employees in position against 3,419 sanctioned posts in key operational categories, officials on said Monday, adding that the situation has worsened due to an ongoing strike by outsourced workers and deployment of staff for census-related duties.

Officials said the shortage had affected power complaint handling, maintenance work and grid operations, with several categories functioning with barely 30% of the required workforce.

According to official data, the shortage is most acute in field staff positions. Out of 1,224 sanctioned lineman posts, only 674 employees are available, while 849 assistant linemen (ALMs) are wo...