Chandigarh— Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora on Monday announced the completion of the selection process for 2,600 Lineman Apprentices, including 2,500 for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and 100 for Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL). The recruitment is part of the Bhagwant Singh Mann government’s broader employment and skill development initiative.
Arora said the state government is focused on strengthening both power corporations through manpower expansion and efficiency-driven reforms. Since April 2022, a total of 8,984 new employees have been recruited across various departments, including Assistant Linemen, Internal Auditors, and Revenue Accountants.
In a move aimed at improving consumer convenience, the government has simplified procedures for obtaining new electricity connections and modifying existing loads. Consumers applying for power connections up to 50 kW will no longer need to submit test reports from licensed electrical contractors. Instead, they can provide a simple online declaration, which will help speed up the approval process and reduce bureaucratic delays.
For higher-capacity connections, Chief Electrical Inspector (CEI) inspections will only be required if a new transformer is installed. However, Arora clarified that all safety standards will continue to be strictly enforced, and the revised process will not apply to the agricultural (AP) category.
He added that PSPCL, with a current workforce of around 30,000 employees, falls under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and is required to engage apprentices comprising 2.5% to 15% of its total manpower.
The newly selected candidates will undergo a one-year intensive Lineman training program combining theoretical instruction and hands-on field experience. Each apprentice will receive a monthly stipend of ₹7,700 during the training period.
Calling the move a “step toward trust-based, efficient, and transparent governance,” Arora said the initiative reflects Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision to empower Punjab’s youth with employable skills and make the state’s power sector more consumer-friendly and accountable.
