Mann govt's power subsidy move results in 90% Punjab households receiving zero electricity bills

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (Courtesy: PTI photo)

The Punjab government's decision to provide 600 units of free electricity to every household has come as a great relief to the people. An astonishing 90% of Punjab households have reported that they received zero electricity bill after the power subsidy scheme was rolled out by CM Bhagwant Mann when he took office.

The Punjab cabinet accorded approval to giving 600 units of free power to every household per billing cycle in the state with effect from July 1, 2022. The state has a two-month billing cycle for power supply.

Under the free electricity scheme, 300 units of electricity are being given free per month to the people of Punjab. CM Mann had made the announcement just weeks after being elected to power in April 2022.

Notably, it is the first time in two decades that the Punjab government has paid more than the specified amount to PowerCom in the matter of subsidy. In April 2023, the Punjab government was to pay Rs 1,751 crore as part of electricity subsidy, but it has already paid Rs 1790.62 crore to Powercom. Prior to this, PowerCom has always been paid less than the stipulated subsidy.

In addition, the Punjab government has scripted history by dedicating the private thermal plant of Goindwal Sahib to the people. The Bhagwant Mann government is also credited for starting a coal mine, which was shut for a long period, in Jharkhand's Panchuara.

Panchuara Coal Mine was allotted to the state, but was closed since 2015. While the previous governments paid no heed to restoring coal supply, it was the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government which tool up the matter in March 2022.