Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh denies caste discrimination in free power scheme
India Today
Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh said the benefits of the free power scheme will be available to all consumers till 600 units.
Punjab government on Tuesday issued a clarification after facing criticism for its free power scheme and denied any discrimination based on category or caste.
Under the free power scheme, a household that consumes more than 600 units in two months will be out of the ambit of the scheme and have to pay the full bill. This invited criticism from Opposition parties in Punjab.
Reacting to allegations of discrimination, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh said the benefits of free power scheme will be available to all categories of consumers irrespective of their caste.
Singh said, "We have not discriminated against any caste or category. The benefits of this scheme will be available to all consumers till they use 600 units."
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The minister further clarified that even the consumers belonging to the special categories will have to pay the entire bill amount if they consume more than 600 units.
He also stated that consumers who have installed a power connection up to the capacity of one kilowatt can neither install a water pump nor can run an air conditioner. Their power consumption is limited.
