Will bail out Power Corporation: Badal
Umesh Dewan/TNS

Patiala, March 31
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has assured that the state government will make all efforts to bail out the cash-strapped Power Corporation. In his address during the annual general meeting of the PSEB Engineers' Association, held at Punjabi University today, he said the government was serious in improving the financial condition of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

Badal said: "In a recent meeting of the Planning Commission, Punjab has obtained an additional Plan assistance of Rs 500 crore, out of which Rs 300 crore will be earmarked for the power sector. Besides, the Finance Department has recently sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the PSPCL".

Appreciating services of the association, Badal assured that a meeting would be convened where proposals put forward by the PSEB Engineers' Association would be discussed. Regarding the proposal for setting up and expediting the 1320-MW Mukerian Thermal Power Project, Badal said the government was committed to execute the project. Regarding the Gidderbaha project, the Chief Minister said: “Since the NTPC is not making any progress, we will discuss the proposal to take over the project".