The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday decided to waive pending electricity bills of all defaulters having connection up to 2 KW.

This will cover 80 per cent electricity consumers in Punjab. Such consumers whose connections have been disconnected would benefit from it.

This will put approximately Rs 1,200 crore burden on the state exchequer and will benefit consumers in rural and urban areas. Committees at tehsil level will be formed to handle such cases and verify the beneficiaries. The policy will apply only to the previous electricity bills that are pending.

This was announced by Chief Minister Charanjit Channi at a press conference.

The CM also announced a mechanism to end sand mafia saying they would soon bring a new policy on mining.

On Navjot Sidhu, Channi said he had talked to him. “I have invited him to talk so that we can resolve the issue.”

The CM said that as sought by the party high command, the government is appointing a dedicated team of public prosecutors and lawyers to handle cases like sacrilege.

Channi said, “I will focus on all important Punjab issues and address them.”

TNS