On completing 30 days of its helm in Punjab on Saturday, the AAP government led by Bhagwant Mann announced 300 units of free electricity from July 1 for all categories of household consumers.
The state has already been providing free power to the farmers, besides 200 free units to the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and BPL families.
CM Mann clarified that now there will be no category, every household will get free 300 units. SC, BC and below poverty line i.e., BPL families, who are already taking 200 units exemption, will now get 300 units of electricity free per month. Only the electricity that he will spend on it will have to be billed for that. They will not have to pay the full bill.
From poor to rich families, 600 units of free electricity will be available in 2 months. However, the family whose bill will cost more than 600 units of electricity in 2 months, they will have to pay the full bill.
The government will not increase the rate of commercial and industrial electricity. Farmers will also continue to get free electricity. Apart from this, the government has waived off the entire dues of all the houses up to 2 kW till December 31, 2021.
Also read: Punjab free electricity: When and how to avail 300 unit free power as announced by CM Mann
Punjab under Debt
Punjab has a debt of about 3 lakh crores. Now 300 units of free electricity will increase the burden of about 5 thousand crores every year on the exchequer. Punjab is already providing free electricity to the agriculture sector. Apart from this, 200 units of free electricity is given to SC, BC and BPL families. Apart from this, the government has also promised to give 1000 rupees to every woman who is above 18 years of age. According to experts, this will increase the burden of about 15 thousand crores on the government.