Major power cuts in Punjab from June 10

Khanna, May 29 (UNI) Punjab would face major power cuts June ten onwards when the farmers would be given uninterrupted power supply for irrigation to sow the paddy crop, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said here today.

Punjab is mainly dependent on tube well irrigation as only 37 per cent of its fields are irrigated through the canal water.

The Chief Minister told reporters after addressing a 'Labour Rally' here that the state was in need of at least 7,200 megawatt more against the present generation of 5,700 megawatts in the state.

''It will be difficult for us to cover the gap between the demand and supply during the paddy-sowing Kharif season when the farmers badly need power,'' he said.

Capt Singh said the state would be purchasing power from outside, mainly from Chhattisgarh as the chief minister of that state had agreed for the same.

Besides, the Punjab Chief Minister said, the Lehra Mohabbat thermal plant near Sangrur would soon start generating 500 megawatt additional power.

On the Reliance issue, the CM reiterated that the participation of the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in the state's agri-business would be highly beneficial for the marginal farmers as well. ''The Reliance, to whom we will be giving land at various places on lease, has assured to set up seven hubs for agri-business by December this year, the Chief Minister said.

UNI XC-PS PK RK2015