Punjab Cuts Electricity To Industries And Govt Offices To Overcome Severe Power Shortage

Battling a situation of unprecedented power shortage at a time of extreme temperatures, Punjab's Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh yesterday (1 July) issued orders that Government offices would now function from 8 am to 2 pm, reports The Indian Express.

With peak power demand surging to as high as 14,500 MW, CM Singh has also issued orders to cut down the electricity supply to energy-guzzling industries operating in the State with immediate effect to ensure prioritised, adequate and uninterrupted energy supply for the agriculture sector.

CM Singh specifically pointed out that farmers were losing precious paddy transplantation time due to the power breakdowns.

Meanwhile, CM Singh also urged the agitating power department employees to call off their protests, which aggravated the crisis, with breakdowns from overloading of feeders and substations not being fixed in time. He tried to assure them that their grievances would be duly considered.

CM Singh has formed a three-member committee comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Special Secretary (Finance) and the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited to resolve the grievances of the employees.