Capt heeds clamour against PPAs, says will renegotiate pacts

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 17

Amid mounting criticism over electricity charges, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday said his government would renegotiate the power purchase agreements (PPAs), which the previous SAD-BJP government had signed with private thermal plants.

While warning the private firms against “messing with state finances”, the CM blamed the previous SAD-BJP government for the agreements, saying these were signed by them to “defraud” the state and its people.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced to bring out a “white paper” on the PPAs, attracting strong reaction from Congress leaders who demanded immediate relief for the common man by renegotiating the agreements.

The CM’s statement came after Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Randahawa, Rajya Sabha member Partap Singh Bajwa, Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari and state Congress chief Sunil Jakhar demanded renegotiating the PPAs and action against officials instrumental in drafting the agreements.

Jakhar, who had even targeted the Advocate General for not safeguarding interests of the state, said: “After having completed three years in power, it is already too late in fixing accountability. The government needs to tell people how the Akalis are the source of their misery (rising power tariff). There is need to come out with a roadmap to offer relief to the common man by bringing down the power rates.”

Given the shortfall in production by state-owned power plants at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar, the Chief Minister said his government would work around the existing arrangements with private players to bring down power rates while ensuring that the peak demand of 13,000 MW was met effectively.

Addressing the newly elected office-bearers of the Punjab Youth Congress over tea, Capt Amarinder said the state’s financial position was showing signs of recovery and any attempt to scuttle the momentum would not be tolerated.

Krishna Allavaru, AICC secretary and Indian Youth Congress in-charge, was present in the meeting.

Jakhar skips high tea

State Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, who has been critical of the Congress government over ‘faulty’ PPAs, has not been able to meet Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to discuss the matter. In spite of Jakhar being in Chandigarh, the two leaders did not meet on Monday. Even at a tea party for the newly elected team of the Punjab Youth Congress team, Jakhar was absent.