Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi today announced to reduce the power tariff to domestic sector consumershaving connected load upto 7 KW by Rs.3 per unit.
Punjab CM has slashed power tariff by Rs 3 per unit forall slabs. He said this is for the first time 100 units consumer will now payRs 1.19 per unit instead of Rs 4.19. Also, taking a dig at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal'spoll promise of free electricity, Channi said that his government's surveysuggested people wanted cheap, and not free power.He said nearly 69 lakh consumers will be benefitted andstate government would bear additional annual financial burden of Rs 3316 cr onstate exchequer.
He further announced 11 percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) forstate government employees. ₹ 440 crore will be allotted for this, he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channiapproved the PSPCL’s proposal to annul GVK Goindwal Sahib (2x270 MW) PowerPurchase Agreement. Following this, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited(PSPCL) has issued the company a termination notice.
The Channi government's move reiterates its firmcommitment to delivering quality and uninterrupted power service to consumersat an affordable cost.
Nearly a month ago, Punjab suffered a major power crisisafter witnessing huge coal shortages. This led to frequent power cuts in thestate, disrupting the daily lives of people along with affecting agriculturalactivities in the state. Angry over unscheduled power cuts in the state due tothe coal crisis, farmers had staged protests, demanding uninterrupted electricity.
Earlier, during Captain Amarinder Singh’s regime, thePunjab Congress head had advocated for uninterrupted power supply and faultyPPAs to be annulled.
Sidhu then tweeted, “Faulty PPAs have cost People of Punjabthousands of crore! Punjab has paid 3200 Crore just as Coal-washing charges dueto faulty replies to pre-bid queries before signing PPAs. Private Plants keepfinding loopholes to file litigation that has cost Punjab 25,000 Crorealready.”
Sidhu stated that PPA's signed during Badal's rule bindsPunjab to pay fixed charges for 100% production, whereas other States pay Nomore than 80%.
"If these fixed charges being paid to Private PowerPlants under PPAs were not paid, it would directly & immediately decreasethe cost of Power in Punjab by Rs. 1.20 per unit,” claimed Sidhu.
Punjab assembly elections are just months away andoppositions such as SAD, AAP, and even Capt Amarinder-BJP alliance are gearingup for polls. Amid the strengthing rivals, the Congress leaders are focusing onfulfilling former CM Capt Amarinder’s “unprioritized” poll promises.
One of Capt’s key poll promises that led to the party’swin in state was the reduction in tariff.
Meanwhile, CM Channi said that inflated power bills was major issue for Punjab residents and they have been seeking relief in power rate. We are going toresolve this and have decided in today's cabinet regarding this, he added.
| Sr. No. | Consumer category | Slabs | Existing Energy Charges (Rs/kWh) including taxes and levies | Proposed Energy Charges (Rs/kWh) including taxes and levies | Financial implication on account of reduced Energy Charges (Rs.Crore) |
| 1. | DOMESTIC SUPPLY | ||||
| Up to 2 KW 53.62 Lacs | 0 - 100 Units | 4.19 | 1.19 | 1108 | |
| 101 - 300 Units | 7.01 | 4.01 | 505 | ||
| Above 300 Units | 8.76 | 5.76 | 286 | ||
| Above 2 KW up to 7 KW 15.36 Lacs | 0 - 100 Units | 4.49 | 1.49 | 531 | |
| 101 - 300 Units | 7.01 | 4.01 | 545 | ||
| Above 300 Units | 8.76 | 5.76 | 341 | ||
| Total | 3,316 | ||||