AAP has fooled Punjabis by increasing power tariff immediately after polls: SAD

PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government of playing a cruel joke on Punjabis by hiking power tariff for both domestic and industrial supply immediate after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections. He demanded immediate withdrawal of power tariff hike. 

In a statement, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “It is shocking that a party which consistently claimed it would lower power tariffs for both domestic and industrial consumers has penalised Punjabis for reposing faith in it and increased both tariffs significantly. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should explain why he has cheated Punjabis in the name of ‘badlav’ by burning a hole in the pocket of the common man at a time when power consumption is at its peak due to heat wave conditions."

Sukhbir Singh Badal said the power hike of 15 paisa for industrial supply had come on the heels of 30 paisa to 40 paisa per unit hike, which was affected last year. “This will make the industrial sector unviable in Punjab”, he said, adding this would also lead to the migration of even more industry out of Punjab.

Sukhbir Singh Badal said the state was already not attracting any new investment and this hike would make the investment climate in the state even worse. He said power rates for the industrial sector were higher in Punjab than the neighbouring states.

Demanding a complete withdrawal in the hike affected on the industrial sector, Sukhbir Singh Badal demanded that medium and small scale industries, which were already reeling under huge losses, should be given power at the rate of Rs 5 per unit.