Nearly a month after Punjab cabinet ministers urged chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to set up a high-powered panel to find a way to get out of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with private plants during the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party regime, state BJP chief Ashwani Sharma on Thursday demanded review of the pacts to reduce power tariff in the state.
In Patiala to meet party workers, Sharma said deferring the tariff issue to monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha will be a betrayal with the people of Punjab. “Power tariff in the state is highest in the country. Many domestic consumers are unable to pay hefty power bills. The steep tariff hike is also taking a toll on industrial growth and development of state. Thus, the government is duty-bound to reduce electricity rates. And it should take every possible step, including review of the PPAs, for reduction of tariff,” said Sharma.
