Electoral bets: Channi gave a blow to the opposition by making electricity cheap, bumper increase in DA too

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi today announced that the power tariff in Punjab has been cut by Rs 3 per unit. The new rates will be applicable from today itself. Taking a jibe at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal's poll promise of free electricity, Channi said his government's survey shows that people wanted cheap electricity, not free electricity.

The Chief Minister claimed in a press conference that 95 percent of the residents of Punjab would benefit from this move. Several other announcements were also made keeping in mind the assembly elections in Punjab next year. Elections are due in Punjab early next year and all parties are campaigning aggressively in the state.

Channi announced an 11 percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees. He said that Rs 440 crore would be allocated for this.

Channi said, "Electricity bill is a major issue for Punjabis, it leads to complete anarchy and poverty, which leads to suicide. We are going to solve it and about this in today's cabinet. I have decided."

Promising uninterrupted power supply to customers at affordable rates, the Chief Minister announced that the state government would terminate the power purchase agreement with GVK Goindwal Sahib.