Politics · India Bureau
Punjab rice mills face severe disruption as power shortage deepens
Punjab's rice milling sector is reeling under acute electricity shortages, with the state receiving substantially less power than its allocated share from the national grid. Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond has called on the Centre to immediately redress the deficit.
LSN India ·
Rice mills across Punjab are struggling to maintain operations amid severe power cuts that have disrupted the state's crucial agro-processing sector. The shortage has sparked concerns about delays in paddy processing and potential losses for millers and farmers alike.
According to Punjab's Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, the state is currently facing a deficit of 1,051 megawatts against its allocated share from the Central Power pool. This shortfall has become a critical bottleneck for industries dependent on uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly during the peak milling season.
The power crisis has also drawn political scrutiny, with opposition parties targeting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government over its "Roshan Punjab" (Bright Punjab) campaign promise, which had pledged to resolve the state's electricity woes. The disparity between electoral commitments and ground reality has become a focal point of criticism.
The state government has appealed to New Delhi to fulfill Punjab's rightful allocation from the national power distribution system. Officials warn that continued shortages could have cascading effects on the state's agricultural economy and the livelihoods of thousands dependent on the milling industry.