Farmers in Punjab will continue to get free electricity supply and the Government has no plans to discontinue it, the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal made it clear on Monday.
Speaking after inaugurating the second day matches of the ongoing World Cup Kabaddi tournament, Sukhbir termed the initiative as “lifeline for Punjab farmers”. “It will never be stopped,” said Sukhbir, adding that the State would soon provide tube well connections to farmers on priority having less than five acres of agriculture land.
Sukhbir said: “Powercom is working day and night to fulfill all the formalities to provide power connections to farmers having less than five acres land and by the end of December, farmers would be getting power connections.” He added that first phase of Talwandi Sabo thermal plant has started power generation and within few months other thermal plants in the State would also be commissioned, would become our State — a power surplus State.
Reiterating his commitment to include Kabaddi in Olympic Games, Sukhbir said that with the constant efforts of Punjab Government, now Kabaddi has get name and fame in various countries of all continents. He asserted that SAD-BJP Government was paying special attention towards sports promotion in the state with a view to give new direction to State’s youth.
“Besides strengthening sports infrastructure, world class stadiums are under construction in cities and rural areas of Punjab,” said Sukhbir, after laying the foundation stone of world class sports stadium at Chohla Sahib with a cost of Rs 4 crore, which would be completed within one and half year. Giving details of Atta-Daal Scheme, Sukhbir informed that the process of making 15 lakh afresh blue cards has been initiated and this exercise would be completed within 20 days. The Blue Card holders would also be brought under the cashless treatment insurance, under this needy people can get free of cost treatment up to Rs 30,000, he added.