Punjab Budget: Record payment for power

DURING 2022-23 fiscal, the Punjab Government would have to pay Rs 22,962 crore towards power subsidy to different categories which is a record payment to be paid to the power utility by the government.

While the government has estimated that it would end up paying Rs 15,846 crore for power subsidy during the current fiscal, an amount of Rs 7,117.86 crore is due from the previous fiscal. This amount also includes the cost that will be borne by the state to provide 300 free units to every house and would cost the exchequer Rs 1800 crore, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said. However, power experts say that the government would end up paying Rs 3,000 crore as there are several existing categories that also get 300 free units.