Power Rates in Punjab are less as compared to other states: Power Minister

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has assured today that the new electricity rates will not affect the common people of the state as the cost of increased electricity rates will be borne by the state government. The Power Minister said that electricity rates are very high in many states, while power rates in Punjab are less as compared to other states.

The Power Minister said that there was no increase in electricity rates during the last one year. He said that sometimes coal has to be procured due to the policies of the Central Government. Similarly, the cost of installing new transformers is increasing. The cabinet minister reiterated that free power to farmers, subsidized power to industry and 600 units of free power to domestic consumers will continue as before. He said that electricity subsidy will continue and no scheme will be stopped.

Lashing out at the opposition parties, the cabinet minister said that the previous governments used to increase electricity rates several times a year, whereas our government has increased the electricity rates marginally after one year, due to which there is no impact on the free electricity scheme. He said that rather our government is continuously working to strengthen the electricity department by recruiting employees and giving salary scales to new employees.