Punjab Power Minister Dismisses Conflict of Interest Allegations Over PSPCL Land Sale
Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora has firmly rejected allegations made by a coalition of eight power sector unions, which claimed he had a conflict of interest in the sale of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) land under a government scheme. The minister, currently on an official tour in the Netherlands with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to attract investment for the state, labeled the accusations as completely baseless.
Allegations and Immediate Response
The controversy erupted after the Power Sector Joint Action Committee submitted a formal letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier on Wednesday. The committee demanded Minister Arora's removal from his portfolio, citing alleged discrepancies in the sale of PSPCL properties under the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) scheme.
In his response from abroad, Minister Arora stated, "The scheme is years old. Even if the land of PSPCL will be sold, it will go through an auction and other legal process." He challenged the accusers to provide concrete evidence, adding, "The power engineers should disclose a name of these family members or anyone linked with me."
Details of the Committee's Complaint
The letter, signed by committee secretary Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, specifically alleged that Minister Arora oversaw the sale of PSPCL properties while ignoring objections raised by various state trade unions and associations. The committee claimed this represented a clear conflict of interest and urged the chief minister to reassign the power department portfolio to another minister immediately.
A copy of this formal complaint was also forwarded to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, indicating the seriousness with which the committee views these allegations.
Composition of the Protesting Committee
The Power Sector Joint Action Committee represents a broad coalition of employee organizations within Punjab's power sector. The eight constituent unions include:
- PSEB Engineers' Association
- Council of Junior Engineers
- Bijli Mulajam Sangrashsheel Morcha
- Accounts Cadre Association
- Pensioners' Association
- IT Officers' Association
- HR Officers' Association
- Admin Officers' Welfare Association
This diverse representation underscores the widespread concern among power sector employees regarding the alleged land sale procedures.
Background of the OUVGL Scheme
The Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Lands scheme, referenced in the allegations, is a longstanding government initiative designed to maximize the use of underutilized public properties. According to Minister Arora's statement, any potential sale of PSPCL land under this framework would follow established legal protocols, including public auction processes.
The minister's strong denial and challenge for specific evidence suggests this dispute may develop further as both sides present their cases. The timing of the allegations, occurring while the minister is abroad on state business, adds another layer of complexity to this developing political story.
