Sukhbir Badal visits Mehna village, blames AAP for power shortage
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday visited Mehna village in the Lambi Assembly segment of Muktsar district to inspect paddy fields that are drying up due to inadequate power supply for agricultural tubewells. He strongly criticised the state government over the ongoing power crisis, accusing it of neglecting farmers' needs.
Badal claimed that the previous SAD government had made Punjab a power surplus state 15 years ago, but the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has mismanaged the sector. He said farmers are facing severe difficulties due to prolonged power cuts, which are threatening the paddy crop.
Badal calls for new power plants to meet demand
“There is a need to install new thermal plants, biomass plants and solar power plants to generate more electricity and meet the demand. If the AAP remains in power, the situation will only worsen,” said Sukhbir Badal. He urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the paddy season.
The SAD president's visit comes amid growing protests by farmers across Punjab over electricity shortages. In Muktsar, Barnala and several other districts, farmers have been agitating for an eight-hour free power supply to run tubewells.
Farmers block road in Muktsar protest
In Muktsar district, farmers blocked the Muktsar-Bathinda road near Bhallaiana village on Monday, disrupting traffic as part of their protest. The farmers said inadequate electricity was affecting irrigation and threatening their paddy crop. According to reports, power cuts have also been imposed in urban areas as the crisis deepens.
The Tribune News Service reported that farmers raised slogans demanding uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season. The protests have intensified in recent weeks, with many farmers warning of crop loss if electricity is not restored.
