FREE POWER TO CONTINUE, CAPT ASSURES FARMERS

CHANDIGARH: Amid growing criticism from farmer organisations and opposition parties, Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday said there is no plan to withdraw free power to farmers in the state.

“Let me reassure our farmers that there is no plan to withdraw free power to agriculture in Punjab. I am cognizant of your economic condition and appreciate the hard work put in by you in every crop to grow food grain for the country. Free power will continue!” he tweeted.

The CM’s clarification came two days after the state cabinet at its meeting held under his chairmanship agreed in-principle to switch from free electricity to cash transfer of subsidy to farmers through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) route from financial year 2021-22.

AAP OPPOSES MOVE TO STOP FREE POWER

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) flayed the Punjab government for its move to abolish free power to farmers. AAP state unit chief Bhagwant Mann said the government tries to implement this new scheme under pressure from the Centre, it should be ready to face the consequences.

SAD CORE COMMITTEE MEETS ON ISSUE TODAY

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called its senior party leadership for a meeting of its core committee on Saturday. “The committee will discuss the strategy for a state-wide agitation against the Captain government to force it to recall the decision on DBT,” said SAD secretary Daljit Singh Cheema.