Prolonged and unscheduled power cuts in Punjab are crippling both agriculture and industry, with farmers struggling to irrigate paddy fields and small manufacturers unable to meet production deadlines. Leaders of farmer unions and industrial bodies have warned of intensifying protests if the state government fails to restore reliable electricity supply.
Farmers Face Irrigation Crisis Amid Paddy Sowing
Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from Jagraon, reported that against the promised eight hours of power supply, his area receives only four to six hours daily. “Tube wells are lying idle while the crop suffers,” he said, highlighting the immediate impact on standing crops. Many cultivators have turned to diesel generators, but the sharp increase in input costs is eating into their margins. HS Lakhowal, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), warned that the situation would become critical during the paddy season, when water demand peaks. “For that we need electricity to run tube wells,” he said, reiterating the gap between promise and delivery.
Diesel Generators Push Up Costs for Farmers
Farmers who can afford diesel generators face spiralling fuel expenses, while small farmers are left waiting endlessly for power. Balwinder Singh of Machhiwara asked, “The cost of diesel is eating into our margins. How can we survive when the basic need of electricity is not met?” Dilbagh Singh of the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union cautioned that if the situation continues, losses will become unbearable. Delays in transplantation threaten to disturb the entire crop cycle, affecting yields and harvest schedules.
MSMEs Struggle to Meet Production Schedules
The industrial sector is equally distressed. The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has raised alarms over frequent cuts imposed on units under the 11 kV category, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). JS Bhogal, senior vice-president of CICU, said, “Small and medium industries work on strict delivery schedules and limited resources. Interruptions halt production, delay dispatches and damage machinery. It directly affects competitiveness and survival.”
Industrial Bodies Urge Government Action
CICU president Upkar Singh Ahuja noted that MSMEs are already battling labour shortages, weak global demand and rising raw material prices. Escalating logistics costs cannot withstand the added burden of unscheduled power cuts. “Industries contribute significantly to the state’s economy and employment. Safeguarding them is essential for Punjab’s growth,” he said, urging the government to arrange additional electricity through alternative sources and power exchanges. Both farmers and industrialists have warned of intensifying protests if corrective measures are not taken. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) faces mounting pressure to balance the competing demands of agriculture and industry during the peak summer load.
