Chandigarh, Apr 22 (IANS): Citing adverse impact on the finances of state discoms amid the Covid-19 lockdown, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a financial package for the state power sector.

He suggested a slew of measures to rescue the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) and others from the current crisis and ensure that consumers are not harassed or hassled in these difficult times.

The Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Limited and other financial institutions should provide loans to the power sector at reduced rate of 6 per cent per annum for bridging the revenue gap, said Amarinder Singh.

He also suggested extension of the RBI moratorium on repayment of outstanding loans and interest from the current three to at least six months.

In addition, the applicable interest rate on deferred payment should be considered at concessional rate, he said.

Other suggestions made by the Chief Minister included reduction in coal prices, waiver of GST levied on coal cost and railway freight for 2020-21, waiver of capacity or fixed charges payable on account of capacity not scheduled due to load crash and 50 per cent reduction in inter-state transmission charges.