Punjab chief minister Mann meets Kejriwal over fulfilling promise of free power supply
NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, to finalise the modalities to fulfil the party’s poll promise of providing free electricity for up to 300 units in Punjab, functionaries aware of developments said.
After the meeting, Mann told reporters the scheme will be announced soon in Punjab.
Delhi deputy chief minister and finance minister Manish Sisodia and his counterpart from Punjab, Harpal Cheema, was also present at Tuesday’s meeting.
“It is going to be about a month since the AAP government in Punjab was formed. Kejriwal is very clear that the free electricity promise of AAP has to be rolled out as soon as possible. All factors, from communicating with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), to the cost to be borne and also ensuring the scheme is not misused are being discussed,” said an official, requesting anonymity.
After the meeting, Kejriwal issued a statement, saying: “We will transform Delhi, Punjab and the whole country for good together. The public is very upset. Everyone is tired of the dirty and corrupt politics of these politicians and parties. We will work day and night for the betterment of our people.”
Mann tweeted: “Had a very good meeting with our leader CM Arvind Kejriwal. I will give some very good news to the people of Punjab very soon.”
Meanwhile, the AAP government in Punjab came under fire from opposition parties after Kejriwal allegedly held a meeting with “top officers” of Punjab on Monday in Mann’s absence.
Former chief minister Amarinder Singh called Mann a “rubber stamp” while Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged it is a “breach of federalism”.