Sidhu calls for new law to revoke PPAs approved by previous Govt

Chandigarh, Jul 02 (PTI):
As Punjab reels under an unprecedented power shortage amid dry spells, ruling Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed during the previous SAD-BJP government went against the state’s public interest while urging a law be brought in now to nullify them.
In a series of tweets on the power issue, Sidhu said there was no need for power cuts in Punjab or for the chief minister to regulate the office timings if the state acts in the right direction .
Truth of Power Costs, Cuts, Power Purchase Agreements & How to give Free & 24 hour Power to the People of Punjab, There is No need for Power-Cuts in Punjab or for the Chief Minister to regulate office timings or AC use of the Common People … If we Act in the right direction, said Sidhu, who has been at loggerheads with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The state government had ordered reduction in timings of state government offices from Friday and cut down on power supply to high energy consuming industries.
The CM had also appealed to all government offices to make judicious use of electricity in government offices, adding that the situation was dire as the peak demand in the state had touched a whopping 14,500 MW.
Punjab can purchase power from National Grid at much cheaper rates, but these [during SAD-BJP government] Badal-signed PPAs are acting against Punjab’s Public Interest. Punjab may not be able to re-negotiate these PPAs due to them having legal protection from Hon’ble Courts, But there is a way forward.., tweeted Sidhu.