Power Tariff Hike
SAD-BJP panel formed
Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 16
The SAD-BJP alliance today constituted a four-member high-powered committee to look into the saffron party’s demand to roll back the power tariff hike imposed on domestic, commercial and industrial consumers by the State Regulatory Commission recently.

Following a two and a half hours meeting, the alliance coordination committee nominated a committee comprising Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia, veteran BJP leader Balramji Das Tandon and SAD secretary-general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. While the first two will be the government nominees in the committee, Tandon and Dhindsa will be the party nominees.

The committee has also been given the duty of conducting a rationalisation exercise to mop up additional funds for the PSEB besides looking for further resource mobilisation to improve the financial health of the state.

According to sources, it was realised that there was a difference of perception between the two parties regarding the issue of tariff hike and how it should be implemented. After lengthy discussions, it was decided to refer the issue to the committee.

Senior BJP leader Tandon said the party was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. Industries Minister Kalia said the party had only conveyed the sentiments of its legislators to its alliance partner. He said the legislators had earlier at a meeting during the day reiterated that the entire power hike of Rs 1,296 crore should be borne by the government, as it would be unfair to burden only one section of society.

Though no time frame has been fixed for the committee to reach its decision, it will have to be fast. The state government, which is bound to take a decision on the tariff order, has already delayed its implementation by not taking up the issue in today’s Cabinet meeting, following the protest lodged by the BJP.

BJP general secretary and state party in charge Balbir Punj, state president Rajinder Bhandari, Tandon, Madan Mohan Mittal and Navjot Singh Sidhu were among those who represented the BJP at the meeting. The SAD was represented by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.