Power Crisis Deepens in Power-Surplus Punjab; Protests Erupt Against Power Cuts: Balwinder Dhaliwal

Chandigarh, June 30, 2026: Former IAS officer and MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party government over the worsening power crisis in Punjab. He said that the government, which had made tall claims of providing 24-hour uninterrupted electricity, has failed to deliver, forcing farmers, industrial units, traders, and ordinary consumers to endure prolonged power cuts. He further alleged that the government has also reneged on its promise of providing farmers with eight hours of electricity, leaving them with no option but to take to the streets in protest against the power outages.
Dhaliwal said there are growing concerns that factories may even be forced to shut down in the coming days due to the worsening power situation. Power department employees are on strike, while consumers are reportedly receiving estimated electricity bills. He pointed out that Punjab's electricity demand has reached a record high. In recent days, the state's peak power requirement touched approximately 16,940 MW, while reports of unplanned power cuts have emerged from several areas.
He added that the state's own power generation stood at around 4,874 MW, forcing Punjab to procure more than 7,300 MW of electricity from external sources. He said that the government should have planned well in advance for the paddy transplantation season, but due to a lack of foresight, Punjab is now being compelled to purchase expensive power from the open market.
Dhaliwal demanded that the government issue a White Paper on the power crisis, make public all details regarding the purchase of costly electricity, ensure optimum utilization of the capacity of all thermal power plants, provide uninterrupted electricity to farmers, industries, and domestic consumers, and formulate a long-term energy policy to prevent such crises in the future.
He further said that before the elections, the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to make Punjab a model state in the power sector. However, the current situation is such that people in villages, towns, and cities are facing hours-long power cuts. He added that the crisis is not limited to power generation alone, as the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited is also facing significant financial pressure.