Punjab Govt to bear burden of power tariff hike imposed on consumers

Chandigarh, Nov 12 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced the State Government will bear the burden of increase in power tariff imposed by the State Electricity Regulatory Authority on consumers.

The decision would benefit all consumers, 66 per cent of whom live in rural areas and 34 per cent in urban areas.

Earlier in the day, a 7-member Coordination Committee of the SAD-BJP, constituted by Mr Badal, met at the Punjab Bhawan here and made a suggestion to this effect.

Mr Badal said "It has been suggested by the Committee that in view of the economic hardships being faced by the pre-dominantly agricultural rural population as well as the trade, industry and business oriented urban segment, it has become necessary to provide them relief".

The Chief Minister said that he was happy to announce that the burden of increased power tariff due to the decision of the Regulator would not be passed on to the consumers "but will be borne by the Government instead." A communication about the government's decision would be sent to the Punjab State Electricity Board which would be compensated directly from the state treasury, Mr Badal said.

He said the SAD-BJP government would continue to be guided by the sole objective of ensuring the welfare, progress and economic well being of the people of Punjab.

UNI