CM Sukhu urges wealthy to surrender power subsidy, leads by example

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has made an appeal to the well-off citizens of the state to voluntarily surrender their power subsidies, citing that only the needy and deserving should benefit from it. Sukhu, leading by example, has surrendered his own power subsidy, along with his cabinet colleagues and Congress MLAs.

“It is optional, and not compulsory to surrender the power subsidy. I feel those who can afford to pay must surrender the 125 units of free power subsidy voluntarily, as a moral responsibility, so that the well-deserved can benefit from it,” he said while addressing a press conference here today.

The Chief Minister explained that the performa for voluntary surrender of free power is available on the HPSEB website, and citizens can also opt-out by calling a designated number or submitting the form at the nearest electricity board office.

“There are five electricity meters in my name at places where I own houses. So, despite being a CM, I am availing 625 units of free power, which is not right,” he added.

Sukhu highlighted that HPSEB will save approximately Rs 200 crore by this voluntary surrender, which will improve the financial health of the board. He noted that the state government spends Rs 200 crore monthly on salaries and pensions for 29,000 retired and 14,000 serving employees.

The CM clarified that discussions were held on withdrawing power subsidies for income tax payers, but no decision has been made yet. Sukhu’s government has raised Rs 28,000 crore in loans over the past two years to repay old loans and undertake development.

By surrendering their power subsidies, Himachal Pradesh’s wealthy citizens can help make the state self-reliant. As Sukhu aptly put it, “Himachal is not a poor state, but the state government is poor.”