Chandigarh, Nov 7 (IANS) Faced with power shortage in the state, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Saturday urged the central government to allot at least 250 MW of additional power to Punjab during the Rabi (winter) season, officials said.
Badal Saturday wrote a letter to Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and apprised him about the power scarcity in the state.

“Punjab farmers are now preparing for sowing of wheat crop but they are not getting adequate water supply. Neither are we able to ensure requisite eight-hour power supply and nor is there sufficient water in the Bhakhra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar reservoirs,” Badal said in the letter.

He added: “To ensure eight-hour uninterrupted power for wheat sowing, we need additional power of 500 MWs.”

Of the additional requirement of 500 MWs, Badal has asked the centre for an allocation of 250 MWs.

In his letter, Badal also highlighted the point that Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is supplying 380 MWs of power for border fencing lighting, defence requirements and agriculture pump sets, which are located within 16 km area of the international border with Pakistan.