India, June 3 -- Power consumers across Punjab got a shocker after receiving inflated bills amounting to lakhs of rupees, allegedly due to technical glitches following a software migration undertaken by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

Among those affected was Kamaljeet Singh, a resident of Patiala's Urban Estate area, who was stunned after receiving a text message showing an electricity bill of Rs.3.8 lakh. Accustomed to receiving a zero bill under the Punjab government's free 600-unit electricity scheme, Singh immediately rushed to the local PSPCL sub-office to seek clarification.

"I was shocked when I saw the message. I thought there must have been some mistake because I have never received such a bill before," he said...