New Delhi Newly-elected Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is working on providing 300 units of free electricity to domestic consumers in the state, a key poll promise, state government officials said.
According to state government officials, this scheme is expected to start soon.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to meet Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the national capital to finalize the modalities of the initiative.
The Mann-led AAP government in Punjab has faced criticism of late as it has not announced a scheme of free electricity up to 300 units for every household even after almost a month of coming to power. Mann was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab on March 16, 2022.
On the other hand, the promise of free electricity and waiver of past dues for electricity is expected to have a huge impact on the already debt-ridden state. The state has a debt of close to 3 lakh crores.
Moreover, at a time when the government is planning to offer free power, the state is witnessing a rise in power demand and power shortage coupled with coal shortage.
According to reports, the state exchequer will have to bear the cost of 1,300 crore per month on account of subsidy on electricity.
Free electricity supply was one of the major promises made by the party that came to power after replacing the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government in the state.
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