Abohar MLA questions PSEB demand for funds from Centre

The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has recently demanded Rs 1,400 crore more from the Centre under the restructured Accelerated Power Development Resource Programme (APDRP). This grant is to be used for the upgrade of power supply system in various parts of the state. However,a question mark has been raised over the demand,as the board has demanded more money even when,of the Rs 715 crore sanctioned under APDRP from 2002 to 2009,Rs 265 crore remained unutilised.

Abohar MLA Sunil Jakhar on Thursday said the board has no right to ask for more money when its implementation mechanisms cease to function. Giving the example of his own constituency,Jakhar said,“In the previous scheme (2002 to 2009) Rs 11.35 crore were sanctioned for Abohar,but only Rs 4.93 crore were used. Now they have earmarked Rs 32.5 crore for this area. It remains to be seen how much is used on the ground.”