category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU chandigarh Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the Centre, seeking allocation of additional 1,000 MW of electricity for the upcoming paddy season. In a letter to the Union minister for Power R K Singh, CM Mann pointed out that the state s generation capacity was limited to about 6,500 MW, whereas the peak demand is likely to touch 15,500 MW in the summer season. To meet the peak demand of electricity of 15,500 MW in forthcoming paddy summer season, Mann requested the assistance of power up to 1,000 MW from June 15 till October 10, that may be allocated to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) from central sector generating stations. In the letter, Mann said the state power utility, PSPCL, is keeping a continuous watch over the power availability on the PUShP (High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power) portal. As the demand of electricity cannot be reliably met through the collective transaction segment of power exchange, the state is in definite need of firm allocation of RTC power of 1,000 MW for the period from 15.6.2023 to 15.10.2023, Mann said. This requirement of additional power is further necessitated due to the recent IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) prediction of low monsoon rainfall in North-Western India, including Punjab, he said. The cultivation of paddy must be protected in the national interest of food security; hence, our request for allocating additional power from central sector generating stations, he wrote. The CM stated that the ministry of Power issued directions on February 20, regarding invocation of Section 11 of Electricity Act, 2003 to imported coal-based plants and the same are valid till June 15. Due to the approaching summer season, these directions carry significance in the case of Punjab due to our 475 MW share in CGPL, Mundra. As peak demand paddy season of Punjab will start from June 10, 2023 onwards, the State is in dire need of firm round-the-clock power during this period. Therefore, it has requested to extend these directions till October 15, 2023, he said. Meanwhile, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Labour, Hospitality, and Investment Promotion Minister Anmol Gagan Maan on Tuesday distributed cheques amounting to Rs 83 lakhs to the villages panchayats of Kharar constituency for various development works of the villages. Providing further information in this regard, the Minister said that for the development works of various villages in Kharar constituency, cheques of Rs 2 lakh each have been given to Gram Panchayat of Fatwan, Mehrampur, Kadimajra, Samipur, Andaheri, Malakpur, Tajpura, Sialba, Mehroli, Baahalpur, Khera and Ratangarh villages She also mentioned that cheques of Rs 2.50-2.50 lakh have been issued to village panchayats of Nangalgarhia and Jhandamajra for the development. In this way, a total amount of Rs.29 lakh has been distributed for the development works of these villages. She further informed that cheques worth Rs.28 lakh were distributed for various development works of villages at Youth Ekta Club Kubaheri, Senior Secondary Smart School Sialba, Gram Panchayat Majri, Jainti Majri, Takipur, Bhupnagar, Badarpur, Naglian and Taktana, etc. The Minister added that cheques amounting to 16.08 lakh were given for house repairs and various other development works as financial assistance to poor families in different villages of Kharar constituency. She explained that cheques of Rs 2 lakh each were given to village panchayats of Sangalan, Dhakora Khurd, Fatehpur, Bangheri, and Mulanpur Sodhian villages of Kharar Constituency, totaling Rs 10 lakh. The minister said that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is continuously striving to provide basic facilities to the people and raise their standard of living. She assured that all the basic facilities will be provided to the residents of villages of Kharar constituency to improve their standard of living. The minister also emphasized that there will be no shortage of funds for the all-round development of villages. (editor dailyworld.in)