Protests intensified in Punjab on Monday over prolonged power outages. Industrialists in Ludhiana blocked the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road, while Congress workers demonstrated outside the PSPCL headquarters in Patiala. Amid growing protests, the Punjab government removed PSPCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Basant Garg from his post. Senior IAS officer Gurkirat Kirpal Singh has been appointed as the new CMD.
Industrialists block road in Ludhiana
Industrialists associated with Ludhiana’s dyeing industry protested on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road against prolonged power cuts. They said that industries are facing power cuts of up to 14 hours daily, affecting production and forcing workers to leave work.
Kamal Chauhan, President of the Punjab Dyeing Association, said that industries are also facing an additional burden from increased electricity prices. According to them, electricity rates have risen from around ₹8 to ₹9.50 per unit. They claimed that one factory’s electricity bill has risen from ₹1.5 million to ₹1.8 million.
Industry representatives feared that if the power crisis continues, the situation could lead to a complete blackout.
Congress Protest in Patiala, Police Use Water Cannons
Congress also protested outside the PSPCL headquarters in Patiala over the power crisis. During the protest, police used water cannons to stop party workers when they allegedly tried to cross barricades.
Industrialists and opposition leaders are continuously questioning the government over the prolonged power cuts.
Punjab Government Removes PSPCL CMD
Amidst the power crisis, the Punjab government has removed PSPCL CMD Basant Garg from his post. Senior 2001 batch IAS officer Gurkirat Kirpal Singh has been appointed as the new CMD of PSPCL.
Earlier, Punjab Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh had claimed that the power situation would improve and long power cuts would end from September 15th. He also stated that private power plants had been repaired and around 200 government employees had been deployed for this.
According to the minister, farmers are now receiving 10 hours of electricity instead of the previous 8 hours. He stated that power demand in Punjab has increased by approximately 3,500 MW compared to last year.
CM Bhagwant Mann cited coal shortage as the reason
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attributed the power crisis to a coal shortage caused by flooding in coal mines in Jharkhand. He said that after discussions with the Jharkhand government and Coal India, this problem has now been resolved.
According to Mann, coal from Jharkhand’s Pachwara coal mine was originally intended for government thermal plants. The state government had requested Coal India to allow it to supply coal to private thermal plants as well. The Chief Minister stated that the necessary approvals have now been received, allowing all five thermal plants in Punjab to receive coal.
Industries stated that production is being impacted.
However, industrialists stated that the situation on the ground remains challenging. Ashok Makkar, director of the Punjab Dyeing Association, stated that frequent power outages are placing additional financial burdens on industries. He demanded uninterrupted power supply.
Amit Sharma, president of the Hargobindpura Industries Association, stated that his industry is export-oriented, and production is impossible without electricity. He questioned the government’s claims of improving the power crisis, saying that if adequate power was available, industrialists would not have to take to the streets.