Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party’s supremo Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday celebrated a historic milestone as they dedicated the Sri Guru Amar Dass Thermal Plant to the masses, marking a significant shift in the state's energy landscape.
The ceremony, held at Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran, witnessed a jubilant gathering as the AAP leaders hailed the acquisition of the thermal plant from a private company, GVK Power, at a cost of Rs 1080 crore. The move marked a departure from the trend of privatization, as the State Government took a bold step towards ensuring energy security and promoting public welfare.
Mann, addressing the gathering, emphasized the importance of this acquisition in ushering in a new era of unprecedented progress and prosperity for Punjab. He hailed the decision as a testament to the Government's commitment to serving the people and prioritizing their needs over corporate interests.
“The purchase of the Sri Guru Amar Dass Thermal Plant reflects our government's dedication to the welfare of every strata of society. This historic step not only ensures energy security but also paves the way for substantial savings, which will be judiciously utilized for the well-being of the people,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the acquisition, Chief Minister Mann outlined the benefits it would bring to the state, including a reduction in overall tariff by over Rs one per unit and savings of Rs 300-350 crores on power purchase. He emphasized that the operationalization of the plant would create new employment opportunities for the youth, further contributing to the state's growth and prosperity.
Kejriwal, lauding the purchase of the thermal plant as a milestone achievement, underscored its potential to revolutionize the energy sector and benefit the people of Punjab. He commended the Punjab Government for prioritizing the needs of the common man and taking decisive steps towards ensuring affordable and reliable power supply.
“The acquisition of the Sri Guru Amar Dass Thermal Plant at such a nominal cost is a testament to the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. This move will not only enhance power generation but also enable the state to provide subsidized power to various sectors, thereby improving the quality of life for all,” he said.
The ceremony also saw Chief Minister Mann and Chief Minister Kejriwal urging the people to strengthen the ruling AAP during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, emphasizing the need to bring the agenda of welfare and development to the national center stage. They condemned the BJP-led Union Government for its attempts to stifle opposition voices and misuse central agencies for political gains.
“The credit of bringing common people at the centre-stage of Indian polity goes to Arvind Kejriwal…he has brought paradigm shift in politics by introducing value based politics by rejecting the divisive politics,” said Mann.
Exhorting the people to extend fulsome support and cooperation to AAP in the ensuing polls, Mann said that it will help in effectively raising the issues of the people and the state.
‘Scared’ BJP Working Overtime To Defame AAP: Kejriwal
Stating that the BJP is only scared of AAP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that the saffron party is working overtime to defame and crush his party.
Kejriwal, addressing the gathering, also accused the Centre of withholding Rs 8,000 crore funds of AAP-ruled Punjab. “Today the BJP is scared of only one party and that is the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party). The AAP is not letting it sleep,” he said.
He said that in a span of 10 years, the AAP has formed governments in Delhi and Punjab, and has MLAs in Gujarat and Goa. “Wherever we fight elections, we secure many votes. Today, the BJP is in fear that if they (AAP) continue to grow like this then there will be an AAP government at the Centre,” Kejriwal said.
“We have one strength and that is honesty with clear intentions. We serve the people. We build schools, hospitals, set electricity right, build roads,” Kejriwal said, claiming that the BJP cannot do such work.
He said that the BJP has been running governments for the past many years. “For 30 years, it has been running a government in Gujarat, and for 15 years, in Madhya Pradesh, and they could not set a single school right. They did nothing,” he added.
Kejriwal said that works that the AAP can undertake, the BJP cannot. “If you have the courage, then do some work,” Kejriwal said.
“They want the AAP to be crushed and finished… arrest them (their leaders), defame the AAP. They make new accusations every day,” he alleged.
At the same time, AAP chief also hit out at the BJP Government at the Centre on summonses issued to him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate.
