Amid turbulence in the Punjab Congress, Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal landed in Chandigarh on Wednesday afternoon before heading for Ludhiana to meet nearly 300 industrialists and make a “major announcement”.
Also read: Punjab Congress crisis: Navjot Singh Sidhu sticks to his guns
Speaking to reporters at the Chandigarh airport, Kejriwal said: “Whatever is happening in Punjab is very unfortunate. People don’t know where to go. The Punjab CM should fulfil the promises made by Captain Amarinder Singh and act against tainted ministers, MLAs and officers. The mastermind behind the sacrilege incidents of 2015 should be booked.”
Asked who would be the AAP chief ministerial candidate, he said: “We will soon announce that and you all will be proud of him.”
Hearing out the industry in poll-bound state
Meanwhile, Ludhiana-based Kulwant Sidhu, who quit the Congress last month to join the Aam Aadmi Party, said: “Before Kejriwal makes the major announcement, he wants to meet industrialists and listen to their grievances, particularly on power cuts and high tariff, so that a solution can be found and their demands can be included in the AAP manifesto for the 2022 elections.”
Punjab industry has been facing unscheduled power cuts due to lack of maintenance of infrastructure and industrialists want tariff capped with relaxation in fixed and demand charges besides reduction in electricity duty. Industries want 50% rebate on night tariff and electricity at ₹5 per unit as promised.
{{/usCountry}}Punjab industry has been facing unscheduled power cuts due to lack of maintenance of infrastructure and industrialists want tariff capped with relaxation in fixed and demand charges besides reduction in electricity duty. Industries want 50% rebate on night tariff and electricity at ₹5 per unit as promised.
{{/usCountry}}The pending goods and services tax (GST) refunds is another issue that the state industry wants addressed early.