BJP Accuses Punjab Government of Power Cuts During Paddy Season
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the Punjab Government of failing to ensure adequate power supply to farmers during the ongoing paddy transplantation season. The party alleged that claims of a 'power-surplus Punjab' had been exposed by widespread protests and electricity shortages.
Protests Erupt Across Punjab
Addressing the media, Munish Dheer, BJP district president for Jalandhar rural (south), said that protests, grid gheraos, and road blockades by farmers in several parts of the state, including Majitha, Sangrur, Mansa, Patiala, Bathinda, Dhola, Tapa, Goindwal Sahib, Kathunangal, and Sri Muktsar Sahib, reflected growing dissatisfaction over prolonged power cuts.
Power Supply Falls Short of Promises
Dheer alleged that despite the Punjab Government’s promise of providing eight hours of uninterrupted electricity to agricultural consumers, farmers were receiving only three to four hours of irregular supply. He claimed that power outages during both day and night had severely affected irrigation work at the peak of the paddy transplantation season.
According to Dheer, the situation has forced farmers to stage protests, blocking roads and surrounding electricity grids to demand reliable power. The BJP leader criticized the state government for its failure to manage the power grid effectively, especially during the critical agricultural period.
Impact on Paddy Transplantation
The paddy transplantation season is a crucial time for Punjab's farmers, requiring consistent power supply for irrigation pumps. The BJP's allegations highlight a significant gap between government assurances and ground reality, potentially affecting crop yields and farmer incomes.
