# Punjab power utility halts disconnections over inflated bills 2026-09-29T23:11:37+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has ordered an immediate halt to electricity disconnections for domestic consumers facing incorrect or inflated bills. The state-owned utility directed its field offices on Monday to keep disconnections in abeyance until its billing system is stabilised and wrong bills are corrected. The order follows complaints from consumers whose bills did not match actual consumption due to a meter readers' strike and migration from older systems to the Oracle-based Smart Billing System. Many customers were billed on average or assumptive basis, with incorrect amounts appearing as outstanding dues. PSPCL said it was acting in recognition of the hardship caused to consumers. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The order, issued by PSPCL's Director/Distribution in Patiala, names two causes: a recent strike by meter readers and the migration of SAP and non-SAP systems to the Oracle-based Smart Billing System, which left a number of domestic supply consumers billed on an average or assumptive basis. It applies to domestic supply consumers and to disconnection on account of default. The pause holds until the Smart Billing System is stabilised and incorrect or inflated bills are corrected, so the issue of corrected bills marks the point at which disconnections for default can resume. Corrected 30 September 2026: analysis figures removed. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Leads with consumer relief and lists PSPCL's internal problems without official comment or opposition criticism This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Patiala, PSPCL, Punjab, Smart Billing System Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-power-utility-halts-disconnections-over-inflated-bills/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-power-utility-halts-disconnections-over-inflated-bills/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/