Free electricity in Punjab

No matter who rules, public debt will continue to rise. There has been no reduction in corruption. The Aam Aadmi Party formulated its election manifesto keeping this in mind. Delhi was one of those states where people had to pay huge amounts in the name of electricity bills. Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had announced that it will provide 300 units of electricity free of cost when it comes to power. It fulfilled its promise as soon as it came to power. That move played a major role in helping the Aam Aadmi Party ensure continuity of rule.

The AAP made the same promise in Punjab as well. Within a month after coming to power, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann fulfilled his promise. The people of Punjab will not have to pay for 300 units of electricity used in homes per month. However, those who use more than 600 units in two months will have to pay the full bill. People below the poverty line and SCs and STs are exempted from the condition. They will not have to pay for the full bill even if their bi-monthly usage exceeds 600 units. There is no change in the electricity tariff for industrialists.

The number of consumers consuming electricity in Punjab is 73.80 lakh. Of this, 62.25 lakh use less than 300 units per month. The government will have to subsidize up to Rs 6,000 crore to implement the scheme. Chief Minister Mann has called for the money saved through free electricity to be spent on child care and education. Prior to the Punjab elections, Aam Aadmi Party national leader Arvind Kejriwal had pointed out that the public debt in Punjab was Rs 3.5 lakh crore. Everyone knows that Punjab is a state that is rich in natural resources. Then where did all the money in the state go? According to Kejriwal, corrupt politicians had looted all the money. He promised that the AAP will display corruption-free governance if given a chance. The Punjab election results proved that the people of the state have accepted the promise. No matter which party comes to power in Punjab in the future, the present exemptions cannot be withdrawn. The AAP has made many innovative promises in the areas of education, health, industry and agriculture. The Punjab Chief Minister said that all this would be implemented within five years.

Now, take a look at Kerala. Here the Left government, which is celebrating its first anniversary, is in the process of raising electricity tariffs sharply. Both Kerala and Punjab are on the same page when it comes to public debt. While the Punjab government is emphasising on public service, the government here is squeezing people in the name of bills. The KSEB is experiencing a huge crisis with pro-government organizations staging protests against the management. While the Punjab government is trying to reduce the operating costs, make the power supply scientific and prevent power theft, the Kerala government seems to be interested only in increasing to increase electricity tariffs.