Bullets, Blackouts and Broken Embankments: Punjab Paying the Price of Government Mismanagement, Says Randhawa

Chandigarh, June 22, 2026: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government over the worsening power crisis, deteriorating law and order situation, and crumbling infrastructure in Punjab. 
He said that Punjab is facing a serious crisis on every front today. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his government never tire of claiming that Punjab is becoming a safe, prosperous, and developed state, but the ground reality is completely different. The government's priorities appear limited to political publicity rather than addressing the real problems faced by the people.
Randhawa said that the state is witnessing a severe power shortage, with six out of ten government thermal power plant units lying shut. As a result, nearly 1,400 MW of power generation has been affected. During the peak summer season, farmers, industries, and ordinary consumers are facing a serious electricity crisis. He alleged that the government has completely failed to ensure adequate power generation and supply.
Expressing concern over the continuously deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, Randhawa said that incidents of firing in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Batala over the past few days have created an atmosphere of fear among the people. The fact that bullets are being fired in broad daylight is proof that criminals and gangsters no longer fear the law. He pointed out that multiple firing incidents had also been reported in different parts of Jalandhar in recent days.
Randhawa said that the people of Punjab want to know who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the state's security, power supply, and infrastructure. If the government fails to wake up in time, Punjab will have to face serious consequences. He demanded immediate and concrete measures to curb the rising criminal activities in the state and called upon the government to explain the direction in which it is taking Punjab.
Randhawa also expressed serious concern over the 40-foot breach that developed in the canal embankment near Sathiali Headworks in Gurdaspur. He said that the incident has once again exposed the Punjab government's failure and negligence in maintaining the state's irrigation infrastructure. 
According to him, all the government's claims stand exposed as hollow. He demanded that rescue and relief operations be carried out on a war footing in the villages and agricultural fields affected by the water damage.
He further urged the Punjab government to fix accountability within the concerned departments and implement an effective flood management and disaster preparedness plan before the monsoon becomes fully active. Punjab, he said, cannot afford to endure another flood disaster. He emphasized that precautionary measures taken today can prevent major losses in the future.