Chandigarh: The Punjab government has carried out a major administrative reshuffle amid protests by farmers and industrialists over prolonged and unscheduled power cuts in the state.
Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh has been appointed as the new head of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), replacing Administrative Secretary-cum-CMD Dr Basant Garg.
Garg has been given all the charges previously held by Gurkirat Kirpal Singh in the Industries Department.
The leadership change comes as Punjab’s power demand has risen by around 3,500 MW compared with last year, reaching nearly 16,000 MW. According to the report, irregular coal supplies had limited generation to around 6,000 MW, making it difficult for the state to meet the increased demand.
The reshuffle comes amid protests by farmers over inadequate electricity supply to agricultural areas. Industrialists had also warned of blocking the Ludhiana-Chandigarh highway, alleging that repeated power cuts were disrupting industrial production.
The Punjab government has maintained that the power shortage and cuts were linked to inadequate coal supplies to thermal plants from the Centre.
Minister assures no power cuts from Tuesday
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said in Ludhiana that there would be no power cuts in Punjab from Tuesday
Sond assured that farmers would receive 10 hours of electricity supply daily. He also said that once all generating units, including those at private thermal plants, are operational, industries would no longer face disruptions because of the power shortage.
Restoring normal electricity supply will now be a key challenge for the new PSPCL leadership amid high demand and continuing concerns over thermal generation.
