Canadian NRI Family Accuses PSPCL of Harassment, Seeks CM Bhagwant Mann's Intervention
“We left for Canada in September last year," the family said.
A well-known NRI family from Canada has raised serious allegations against the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), accusing the department of harassment and negligence after being handed an electricity bill of Rs 33,500 for a house that, they claim, has remained unoccupied and locked for nearly a year.
In an open letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh, and senior PSPCL officials in Jandiala Guru, Gurmeet Kaur Kanwal Supatni and Kanwaljit Singh Kanwal, a senior journalist with Punjabi TV in Canada, expressed anger and disbelief over the situation.
“We left for Canada in September last year. Our house was completely shut and locked during our absence. Yet on returning due to a personal tragedy, we were shocked to receive a PSPCL notice demanding ₹33,500 in power charges. When we entered the house, the electricity was off,” the couple stated.
The family suspects that an illegal 'Kundi connection', unauthorized tapping of electricity, may have been active at their property in their absence, and potentially with the knowledge or involvement of PSPCL staff.
“This is not the first time we’ve faced such an issue. We had flagged a similar concern earlier, but no action was taken,” they alleged. “Who was drawing power from our locked house, and with whose protection? This speaks of either gross negligence or direct involvement.”
Calling for immediate government intervention, the family urged Chief Minister Mann to launch an impartial investigation and ensure strict legal action against any erring officials.
“This is a test of your government’s commitment to protecting the rights and properties of NRIs. Will we receive justice, or will departmental negligence continue to victimize NRI families?” the letter read.
The case has struck a chord with the wider NRI community, reigniting concerns about the safety and misuse of NRI-owned properties in Punjab. Many have called for more robust systems to monitor and safeguard such properties, as well as mechanisms for fair grievance redressal.
As of now, PSPCL has not issued an official statement regarding the matter. The NRI community and local residents alike await a response, and action, from the Punjab government.