Akali Dal protests against power cuts in Patiala

Party’s Patiala rural in-charge Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha also raises drug abuse and law and order issues

Patiala, September 16

The Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday staged a protest here over alleged unscheduled power cuts and high electricity bills, with party’s Patiala rural in-charge Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha accusing the Punjab Government of failing to address the power situation.

The protest was part of constituency-level demonstrations organised by the Akali Dal across Punjab over power cuts. The party had announced such protests for September 16.

Addressing the gathering, Chatha alleged that several areas were witnessing power cuts of two to two-and-a-half hours, even as farmers were in the crop-growing season. He also claimed that some consumers had received high electricity bills.

Chatha alleged that the government had not added any new power generation unit in the past five years and said the shortage was causing difficulties for farmers, residents and business owners.

He also raised the issues of drug abuse and law and order in Punjab, making several allegations against the state government.

Referring to recent Enforcement Directorate actions in Patiala, Chatha alleged corruption and claimed that more disclosures would be made in the coming days.