CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Sirsa MP, former Union Minister, Congress national general secretary and CWC member Kumari Selja has criticised the BJP government in Haryana over electricity distribution privatisation and complaints of power supply disruptions. She alleged that the government’s statements and actions were contradictory, leaving people to bear the consequences.

Selja said it was ironic that the state government appeared unaware of developments taking place in Haryana. According to her, the government was saying one thing while decisions and developments on the ground suggested another, exposing a contradiction between its words and actions.

“Against Whom Will the Government Appeal?”

Questioning the government’s position on parallel electricity distribution licences, Selja referred to the decision to grant such a licence to a private company in Gurugram and Nuh. She asked whom the government intended to challenge through an appeal when, in her view, its own policies had opened the way for private participation.

She said the BJP government must clarify its position and explain why it was attempting to avoid responsibility for the developments. Selja called for a clear explanation of the government’s stand on the issue.

Electricity Employees Face Uncertainty

Selja said electricity employees were caught in uncertainty, with concerns over their future and service security remaining unresolved. She urged the government to hold immediate discussions with employees and address their concerns.

She also pointed to complaints of disrupted electricity supply from several parts of Haryana, including Gurugram, Sirsa, Hisar, Jind, Rohtak, Panipat, Faridabad, Karnal and Ambala. According to her, farmers, traders, small businesses and domestic consumers were among those affected by supply-related problems.

Congress Opposes Making Essential Services Profit-Driven

Selja said the Congress viewed electricity as an essential public service and a responsibility towards public welfare, rather than merely a means of generating profit. She argued that government-owned power utilities should not be weakened in the name of reforms.

She questioned how the government would protect consumers if distribution were privatised, particularly with regard to electricity tariffs, concessions for farmers and safeguards for economically weaker households.

The Congress leader demanded a review of the privatisation-related decision, immediate talks with electricity employees and measures to ensure an uninterrupted power supply across the state.

“People Need Electricity, Not the Darkness of Privatisation”

Selja said a government that could not take responsibility for its own policies and decisions had no moral right to remain in power. She maintained that people needed reliable electricity rather than uncertainty surrounding the government’s privatisation policy.