SAD slams Congress over power outages

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 2

Activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) protested against unscheduled power cuts being imposed by the state government and constant hike in petrol and diesel prices by the Centre.

Protesters raised slogans against Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The SAD leadership gave a slogan “Capt bhajao, bijali liyao”.

Speaking in Majitha, Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia said former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal had made the state power surplus during his tenure. Capt Amarinder Singh did not maintained infrastructure and failed to meet the demand.

Now, the state needs 1500 megawatts more power, but the PSPCL has been unable to deliver.

“The Akalis had developed the infrastructure and provided free power to several sections of society, especially economically-weaker section. Now, farming sector and industry is badly hit with power cuts,” he said.

Amarjit Singh, senior vice-president of SAD, led a demonstration at the power station of the PSPCL on Majitha Road.

“The SAD and the Bahujan Samaj Party gave a call to stage a protest against power cuts. Farmers are getting less than four-hour electricity supply. How can paddy be irrigated without power? Earlier, labourers became jobless due to the pandemic and now industry has been asked to shut for 48 hours due to power outages. Capt Amarinder Singh-led government failed on every front,” he said.

SAD leader Talbir Singh Gill said Capt Amarinder Singh did not develop any infrastructure to meet demand, but closed a thermal plant in Bathinda. Punjab is facing a shortage of power due to anti-Punjab policies of the Congress. People will change the government after six months.”