Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that the State Government had cleared all dues of the state power utility, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), by clearing the subsidy bill of Rs 20,200 crore. At the same time, the Chief Minister claimed that there would be no power crisis in the state as power generation would be “beyond capacity”.
At the same time, the Chief Minister made it clear that notwithstanding the mounting debt on the state, the “power subsidy would continue”.
“The debt of Rs three lakh crore on Punjab is not due to the people of the State but because of the wrong policies of the previous governments…the power subsidy will continue,” declared the Chief Minister, while addressing the media on Friday, listing out the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - led state government’s achievements on the completion of first year in power.
Pointing out that he was always asked as to where the money would come from, Mann said: “I want to tell them that money will come from the Government’s resources. We are an honest government. My ministers are honest. Earlier, the money was directed to the houses of the leaders and that is how these people had money-counting machines at home.”
“Have patience, the debt will decrease…I cannot repay Rs three lakh crore in one year,” he said.
Mann said that due to the AAP Government’s strenuous efforts, “Punjab has been transformed from ‘fiscal deficit’ to ‘fiscal profit’ state by massive generation of revenue”.
Though the previous governments had always thought of their own vested interests, AAP Government has pulled all plugs to enhance the revenue in state, he said, adding that these efforts have produced desired results as the state has been able to generate maximum revenue. “The honest government in State has changed the direction of fund flow from private houses of leaders to the government exchequer,” he added.
Besides clearing PSPCL’s all dues, the Government has also promised to pay the legacy outstanding of Rs 9,020 crore in instalments in five years. The government has already paid the first instalment of Rs 1,804 core and the interest of Rs 663 crore.
Mann said that the power subsidy bill, paid to PSPCL, amounting Rs 20,200 crore “included agriculture subsidy worth Rs 9,063 crore, domestic and other subsidies worth Rs 8,225 crore, and industrial subsidy worth Rs 2,911 crore”.
Maintaining that the power generation in the state has enhanced manifolds, Mann said: “Already, smooth and hassle free supply of coal has started from the Jharkhand coal mine. Punjab is heading towards becoming a power surplus state in the country.”
16.6% Increase in GST Collection
Mann said that the state has seen a 16.6 per cent increase in the GST collection, compared to the previous financial year, and this is “one of the biggest achievements of the AAP Government”. “The state has already witnessed an all-time increase in revenue from excise by 41.41 per cent…We have been able to generate Rs 8,841 crore, which is Rs 2,587 crore more than the previous year,” he said, while adding that the GST collection was Rs 15,542 crore in 2021-22 which has increased to Rs 18,121 crore in 2022-23.
“We are now among the top states in GST collections. Earlier, we used to be at the bottom of the list of the states,” he added. At the same time, Mann added that the relaxation in stamp duty and registration fee by 2.25 per cent will continue in April also. “Due to this landmark initiative, the revenue collection has increased from Rs 339 crore in February to Rs 658.68 crore in March. As per the people’s feedback, the exemption has now been extended to April 30,” he added.
Relief Cheques to Farmers on Baisakhi
Chief Minister announced that the Government will give relief cheques to the state’s farmers on or before Baisakhi. “In a major relief to the farmers of the state, the State Government has announced a 25 per cent upward revision in the compensation for the crop loss to the farmers. In case, the loss is more than less than 75 per cent, the compensation will be Rs 6,800 per acre as compared to Rs 5,400 earlier; and if the loss is more than 75 per cent, the government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre as compared to Rs 12000 earlier,” he said. Mann added that the motive is to ensure the well-being of the farmers at all costs. “The special girdawari is going on in the state and the compensation will be disbursed before Baisakhi,” he said.
10 UPSC Coaching Centers Soon for Free Coaching to Punjab’s Youth
Chief Minister also announced to embark several new schemes to ensure the well-being of the state's youth and channelize their unbounded energy in a positive direction. “To make the state’s youth an active partner in socio economic growth, the Government will soon launch several schemes like providing interest-free loans which will help in opening new vistas of self-employment for them,” he said.
Besides, the Chief Minister also announced to hold ‘Naujawan Sabha’ meetings with youth, twice a month, for a direct dialogue with them. “The purpose of these meetings is to directly interact with the youth and get their feedback and suggestions so that the Government can formulate policies suitable for them to start new businesses and undertake other innovative initiatives…A thorough discussion will be held with youth every 15 days to take their suggestions for bolstering the agriculture, transport and other sectors,” he added.
Mann also announced that the state government will open 10 hi-tech centres for imparting training to the students for competitive exams. “These centres will provide quality training to youth for clearing the UPSC exams and sit on coveted positions in state and country. The target is to ensure that youth sit in high offices and not in the prisons by indulging in some illegal activity,” he added.
