Bhagwant Mann meets Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi over Punjab’s power issues

Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss key issues concerning the state’s power sector, electricity requirements during the paddy season and the availability of coal.

After the meeting, Mann said the Union Power Minister had assured Punjab of an uninterrupted electricity and coal supply. The Chief Minister stressed that a reliable power supply was essential to meet the requirements of the agricultural sector, particularly during the paddy cultivation season, when demand for electricity rises significantly.

During the meeting, Mann highlighted Punjab’s expected contribution of 180 lakh metric tons of paddy to the national food pool, underlining the state’s significant role in ensuring the country’s food security.

He emphasised that Punjab’s farmers play a crucial role in meeting the country’s foodgrain requirements and that their concerns must be addressed through adequate support from the Centre.

Chief Minister also raised issues faced by farmers in managing paddy stubble and stressed the need for effective support to address the challenges associated with stubble management.

Mann sought special power allocation for Punjab during the paddy season, pointing out that uninterrupted electricity is crucial for agricultural operations. He maintained that the state’s substantial contribution to national food security should be taken into account while addressing its electricity requirements.

The discussions also focused on ensuring adequate power availability for agricultural activities and addressing the financial challenges faced by Punjab’s power distribution companies.

The meeting comes amid the state’s efforts to ensure sufficient electricity and coal supplies to meet the needs of farmers and other consumers. The availability of reliable power during the paddy season remains a key concern for Punjab, given the importance of agricultural operations to the state’s economy and its contribution to the national foodgrain pool.