Chandigarh, July 4, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Former PPCC president and Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa today said, the statement made by the Chief Minister of Punjab, that the State Government is reviewing the ill-conceived Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) signed by the previous SAD-BJP Government is extremely delayed but absolutely necessary.
In a press release issued here today, Bajwa said, “These PPA’s have been an albatross hanging around Punjab’s neck, bleeding the state exchequer dry.”
Bajwa said the Government has had over four years to focus on this issue. A suitable conclusion must be reached to ensure that the people of Punjab are no longer cheated by these agreements.
He further pointed out that the Government of Punjab had promised a white paper on the issue in March 2020. Nearly 16 months later, no such information has been released by the State, he said.
The Congress leader said the government of Punjab should also ensure 300 units of free power to all households.
“It is well known that Punjab provides over Rs. 6,000 crores as power subsidies to the agriculture sector and Rs. 4,000 crores to other sectors. Given the large social net covered by the present subsidies, to extend to every household across the State would be overall beneficial to the people of Punjab,” he said.
Bajwa said the Green Revolution began in Punjab in the last 1960s and for nearly sixty years, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) which was previously known as the Punjab State Electricity Board has been supplying power to the State since its inception in 1967.
He questioned as to how and why even after the consistent demands of power in Punjab during paddy seasons, the PSPCL was still unable to plan and ensure the uninterrupted supply of power to the people?
The Rajya Sabha member said the PSPCL must be held accountable for being chronically unprepared for the supply of uninterrupted power. Heads must roll and the Government must take stern action against erring officials, he said.
Slamming PSPCL for its lack of preparedness, Bajwa said, it will only continue to harm the image of the State.
“Today there is enough availability of technologies that predict the Monsoon season months in advance. The information is easily available to the State machinery. A delayed monsoon is not an excuse that Punjabis will believe,” he said.
Bajwa urged the Chief Minister to remain firm and take stringent measures to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the future.
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