Enhanced power security for industry flayed

Chandigarh, Dec 29 (UNI) The Punjab Congress today flayed the decision of the SAD-BJP Government to enhance the power security of industrial units equivalent to their two months consumption.

Punjab Congress Spokesman and former Minister Jagmohan Singh Kang said this retrograde step would cause irreparable damage to the industry in the state, which is already passing through lean phase due to ''wrong policies'' of the present regime.

Describing the decision as arbitrary, he claimed that the ''wrong policies'' of this Government had compelled the small and medium Industrial houses either to close down or shift to other states for survival.

''This unfortunate shifting of industry to other states would give blow to ancillary units, adversely affect the already crumbling economy of the state and lead to unemployment,'' he said.

''Within a short span of ten months of ill-governance of this Government the economy has touched the lowest ebb'', he added.

The spokesman said the tall claims of the Punjab Chief Minister regarding financial health of the state fell flat when the Government was denying legitimate dues of its employees due to paucity of funds, on the other hand it was demanding payment of electricity bills from industrial units in advance.

Mr Kang urged the Chief Minister to roll back the decision regarding the electricity security and adopt industry and people friendly policies to stop the migration of these units and save the small and medium industry, which is backbone of the industrial activity in Punjab, from closing down.

UNI