The Punjab government presented its demands on electricity and urban issues to the central government in a meeting today, emphasizing the state’s needs. Punjab’s delegation, led by Electricity Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh, and Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, met with Central Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Punjab Bhavan, presenting its demands with supporting arguments and facts. Minister Khattar assured Punjab of a positive approach toward its concerns.
Today’s meeting was part of a Coordination Committee session on electricity and housing and urban development matters related to the central government. The Punjab ministers highlighted the ongoing development efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and urged the center to expedite pending requests associated with both departments.
One of the major demands was to maintain the tradition of appointing a Punjab representative as the Electricity Member on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and reverse the 2022 amendments. Punjab argued that under the new qualifications, no suitable candidates would be available from the state. Furthermore, Punjab reasserted its claim over the Shanan Project in Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing that under the Punjab Reorganization Act, this project rightly belongs to Punjab. Given the state’s increasing power needs and limited hydro and thermal capacities, Punjab requested a long-term electricity supply from central plants.
Punjab also called for increasing the capacity of solar pumps subsidized for agriculture to at least 15 horsepower, encouraging solar energy. Additionally, it sought permission to substitute coal at private thermal plants in Talwandi Sabo and Nabha. Punjab also requested a reduction of the seven paisa per unit commercial margin to promote renewable energy, as well as an extension of the RDS Scheme deadline due to delays in implementation in the state. The state also requested subsidies for straw-based power plants similar to those provided for biogas plants and sought an increase in the capacity for rooftop solar projects.
In urban development discussions, Punjab asked for an extension for the Sultanpur Lodhi Smart City Project, as it was allocated later than the other three smart city projects, proposing an extension until at least March 31, 2025. Punjab also proposed forming a cluster with areas adjoining Chandigarh, like Mohali-Zirakpur, to include them in the electric bus service project to promote pollution-free transport.
Central Minister Manohar Lal Khattar indicated a principled agreement on many of Punjab’s demands and assured a positive approach.
Central representatives included Secretary of Electricity Pankaj Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Electricity Mohammad Afzal, BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi, OSD of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Jaideep, and AMRUT Director Gurjit Singh Dhillon. Punjab was represented by Additional Chief Secretary of Local Government Tejveer Singh, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Electricity Rahul Tiwari, Special Secretary of Local Government Deepti Uppal, Director of Local Government Gurpreet Singh Khehra, Special Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Apneet Riyat, PUDA CAO Neeru Katyal, and PSPCL CMD Engineer Baldev Singh Sran.
During the meeting, the central minister and officials were also honored.
