No withdrawal of free power to farmers: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

CHANDIGARH: Amid opposition parties' attack on the Punjab government over replacing the facility of free power to farmers with direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh made it clear on Saturday that there is no move to withdraw free power to agriculturists.
Amarinder tweeted, "Let me reassure our farmers that there is no plan to withdraw free power to agriculture in Punjab.I am cognizant of your economic condition and appreciate the hard work put in by you in every crop to grow food grains for the country. Free power will continue!"

The Punjab cabinet had on May 27 given in-principle approval for a few reforms to make the state eligible to avail additional borrowing of 1.5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) amid the Covid-19 crisis as directed by the central government. This included formulation of the DBT scheme and its implementation in at least one district by December 31.