Punjab appoints PSPCL generation director ahead of paddy season

Patiala: The Punjab govt on Thursday appointed Punnerdeep Singh Brar as director (generation) of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), filling a key vacancy ahead of the peak paddy season when electricity demand is expected to touch its annual high.The appointment was approved by the governor of Punjab under Article 45 of the Articles of Association of PSPCL and notified by power secretary and PSPCL CMD Basant Garg.Brar will hold office for two years from the date of joining or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.The post had remained vacant since November 2025 following the removal of the previous incumbent, Harjit Singh. The appointment comes at a crucial time as paddy transplantation gathers pace across Punjab, increasing dependence on electric tubewells and putting pressure on the state's power generation system.Officials said uninterrupted operation of PSPCL's thermal and hydel power stations would be critical to meeting the expected surge in electricity demand during the agricultural season.Sources said a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary evaluated around 25 candidates before recommending names to the chief minister for final approval.A native of Faridkot, Brar has more than three decades of experience in the power sector. An alumnus of Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala, he joined the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board in 1991.During his career, he has served as chief engineer (protection and maintenance) in Ludhiana, chief engineer of the West Zone in Bathinda and deputy chief engineer (Enforcement), besides handling assignments related to operations, commercial services and anti-power theft enforcement.