Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlA and the leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Sunday written a letter to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh requesting him to withdraw his government’s new instructions in providing free electricity to Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and non-SC BPl domestic consumers.
“As per Punjab government’s earlier instructions, subsidy on account of free electricity supply up to 200 units per month was being provided to the beneficiaries. But, as per the new instruction issued on October 17, 2017, that came into effect from November 1, 2017, Punjab Government has imposed limits of connected load of one kilowatt (KW) and consumption not exceeding 300 units per annum in the preceding as eligibility for availing this subsidized supply of electricity,” pointed Khaira.
He said that the limit of one KW connected load is very low and will render more than 50 percent poor and needy families disqualified for this subsidy.
“Imposing such limits will not only defeat the purpose of helping deprived section but will also give space for instances of exploitation in event of errors in energy meters etc. The government is trying to fetch money being spent on its avoidable expenses like crores of being paid to ministers and advisers, from the pockets of poor and needy people of the state,” he said.
Khaira said that the water level in Punjab has gone very low and installation of submersible motors has become essential to fulfil the requirement of drinking water. “Thus, the limit of one KW is required to be raised. These poor families don’t have jobs or cultivatable lands and their only means of earning livelihood is rearing of domestic milking cattle for which at least one fan and a chaff cutter toka is necessary so the limit prescribed by Congress government is unable to fulfil their basic need,” he added.
“The Congress party, before Vidhan Sabha elections, had announced to provide more facilities to the poor and needy people. But, it has now started withdrawing the already given facilities to these families,” said Khaira.
He demanded that the limit of connected load may be enhanced to three KW and for 200 units per month concession and the extra units may be charged as per tariff if situation demands. The condition of 3000 units per annum must be withdrawn and it should not be applicable from proceeding year, he added.