Powercom Profitable? Then Why Sell Its Lands, Questions /Tikshan Sood

 Powercom Profitable? Then Why Sell Its Lands, Questions /Tikshan Sood

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Mar.9

Senior BJP leader and former Cabinet Minister Tikshan Sood has dismissed the government's claims that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL, commonly known as Powercom) is running in profit, calling it a "false game of numbers." In a press note, he asserted that Powercom's financial condition is in a "severely dilapidated state."Sood pointed out that government departments alone owe over ₹2,500 crore in unpaid electricity bills. Additionally, the subsidies promised by the government on electricity—around ₹24,000 crore—remain unpaid to Powercom. He highlighted rampant electricity theft as another major issue. "These problems are hitting honest consumers who pay their bills regularly and do not avail free electricity benefits," he said.Raising a pointed question, Sood asked: If Powercom is truly profitable, why is the government bent on selling its valuable properties spanning nearly 140 acres? Due to the dire state of the state exchequer and Powercom's crumbling finances, the government had decided to sell 50 acres near Gate No. 23 in Patiala, along with several properties in Ludhiana and Mohali. This move faced strong opposition from Powercom employees. Ultimately, a public interest litigation was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which on February 20, 2026, issued a stay against the sale of Powercom's assets.Sood accused the government of trying to "loot the public with empty promises" in an election year by merely cutting a few rupees from electricity bills. "Powercom cannot stand on its own feet due to this government's wrong policies, especially with such massive outstanding dues from the government itself," he added.