Amritsar, March 7 (K.L. Jit Walia) — Advocate Harpal Singh Nijjar, President of the Majha Zone of the Aam Aadmi Party Legal Cell, has thanked Bhagwant Mann for fulfilling a long-standing demand of the legal community. He welcomed the historic decision taken in the tariff order issued by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission for the financial year 2026–27.
According to the new decision, electricity connections of lawyers’ chambers will now be shifted from the Non-Residential Supply (NRS) category to the Domestic Supply (DS) category. This move is expected to provide major relief to advocates across the state.
While sharing details, Advocate Harpal Singh Nijjar said that recently presidents of various bar associations from across Punjab met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann under the leadership of AAP Legal Wing Punjab President Gyan Singh Mugo. During the meeting they raised the long-pending demand regarding electricity tariffs for lawyers’ chambers. He stated that the government’s decision reflects the people-friendly and visionary leadership of the Chief Minister.
He further emphasized that a lawyer’s chamber should not be treated as a commercial “shop” but rather as an intellectual workspace dedicated to the justice system. By recognizing this distinction the Punjab government has restored dignity and respect to the legal profession.
Under the new order, lawyers registered with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and operating chambers in court complexes across Punjab will now be billed according to domestic electricity rates.
Although this decision is expected to reduce the annual revenue of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited by around ₹3.59 crore the government has prioritized public interest and the welfare of legal professionals over financial gains.
The revised tariff rates will come into effect from April 1, 2026. Advocate Nijjar added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the Aam Aadmi Party government is addressing the long-pending demands of every section of society—from farmers and laborers to professionals such as lawyers.
KL JIT WALIA
