Chandigarh, November 10:
Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora has announced that the selection process for 2,600 Apprentices (Interns) in the Lineman trade—including 2,500 for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and 100 for Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL)—has been successfully completed.
Arora emphasized that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is making continuous efforts to strengthen PSPCL and PSTCL, both in terms of manpower and technical efficiency. He pointed out that with the recent appointment of 2,106 (including 2,023 Assistant Linemen, 48 Internal Auditors, and 35 Revenue Accountants), the total number of new recruitments since April 2022 has risen to 8,984, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing employment opportunities and improving the state’s power infrastructure.
In a major pro-consumer reform aimed at promoting the “Ease of Doing Business,” Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora announced that the state government has simplified procedures for obtaining new power connections and for changes in load capacity.
Highlighting the move, Arora said that under the new system, applicants or consumers seeking new connections or alterations in load up to 50 kW under the LT (Low Tension) category will not be required to submit any test report from a licensed electrical contractor or any self-certification/signed document for the electrical installation of the premises. Instead, there will be a declaration in the online application form wherein the applicant will give declaration “That the internal wiring at the premises has been got executed and tested by a Licensed Electrical Contractor/Designated Officer of the Govt. and test certificate is available with the applicant.” Pertinently, total connections in PSPCL (except AP) with load below 50KW are above 99.5%.
For consumers with loads above 50 kW on LT supply, submission of a test report will remain mandatory, but PSPCL officials will not be required to verify such reports. Similarly, for all new HT (High Tension) and EHT (Extra High Tension) applicants, the inspection report by the Chief Electrical Inspector (CEI) will continue to be compulsory; however, submission of the test report will no longer be necessary, he added.
Arora added that in the category of existing HT/EHT consumers seeking load extension, the CEI inspection will only be required when a new transformer is installed. In all other cases, CEI certification will not be required. He emphasized that this decision would cut down procedural delays, enhance transparency, and enable faster release of connections.
Arora said that the verification of test report submitted (wherever applicable) through licensed electrical contractor by the applicant / consumer for availing new connection/ additional load/demand/change of name etc. is not to be carried out by PSPCL.
The Power Minister reiterated that safety compliance remains a top priority. All existing HT/EHT consumers will continue to undergo annual inspections by the CEI to ensure adherence to safety norms.
He added that these instructions shall not be applicable for AP (Agricultural Power) category consumers.
Calling the reform a progressive step toward efficiency and trust-based governance, Arora said it aligns with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of providing consumer-friendly, transparent, and time-bound public services in Punjab.
He said that as PSPCL now has a workforce of about 30,000 employees, it falls under the mandatory purview of the Apprentices Act, 1961, which requires every establishment with 30 or more employees to engage Apprentices (Interns) within a range of 2.5% to 15% of the total manpower. In line with this, PSPCL has completed the selection of Apprentices (Interns) for the 2025–26 financial year, ensuring compliance with national standards while creating pathways for youth skill development and future employment.
For the one-year Apprenticeship Training in Lineman Trade, eligible candidates must have passed Matriculation, possess Punjabi language knowledge up to Matric level, and hold an ITI qualification in Electrician or Wireman trade. The selection process is conducted through a Computer Based Test (CBT), following which the selected candidates are deputed to various divisions for practical and theoretical training as per the approved schedule. They will be paid Rs. 7700 per month stipend during training period.
The Power Minister informed that during FY 2023–24, 1,500 Apprentices (Interns) had successfully completed their training in October 2024. Building on that success, the new batch will undergo an intensive 52-week training programme designed to impart both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.
The training curriculum begins with essential safety and technical lessons—covering the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), first aid techniques, and safe working practices on high-tension (HT) and low-tension (LT) lines. In subsequent weeks, trainees will learn measurement of voltage, current, and resistance, installation and maintenance of HT/LT lines, cable jointing, earthing systems, and meter installations. Advanced modules include fault detection, transformer maintenance, patrolling of lines, and emergency response after storms or rains.
During the training, Apprentices (Interns) will work under the supervision of experienced PSPCL employees, maintaining daily diaries checked weekly by their supervisors. Upon successful completion, candidates will be evaluated through both theoretical and practical assessments, after which certificates will be issued by the National Apprenticeship Council (NAC), New Delhi.
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Arora said, “This apprenticeship programme not only equips Punjab’s youth with specialized technical skills but also creates a direct pipeline of trained manpower for the power sector. It ensures that our young workforce is job-ready, efficient, and capable of meeting future challenges.”
He added that the successful completion of apprenticeship training in the Lineman trade serves as the basic eligibility criterion for the post of Assistant Lineman (ALM) in PSPCL—thus offering Apprentices (Interns) a clear and merit-based career progression within the power sector.
Sh. Basant Garg IAS Secretary Power was also present during this press conference.
