PATIALA: Punjab co-operation minister, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh has said that government would explore the possibilities of establishment of big power plants to cater to needs of the state. 

Talking to mediapersons at Rajpura near here  Saturday Capt. Singh said that as small projects were not feasible according as demand of power has been growing day by day in the region. He said that 4300 mw power is being produced in the state today and state is getting 800 mw from central pool. The requirement of the state was 9000 mw in Punjab and  shortage of power is the main hindrance in the development of the state, he added. 

He said that govt. has been purchasing power at rs.9 per unit from other states which is passed on to the users at that rate of Rs 3.50 per unit, thus consumers are getting a subsidy of Rs. 5.50 per unit. Government has ordered PSEB to purchase power up to Rs. 3000 crores to cater to ensure 8 hour power supply to farm sector in coming paddy season, he added. 

Regarding the debt of the farmers, he said that this problem can only be solved by a comprehensive income generating scheme for the farmers and this type of scheme is being explored by the govt.  

Blaming the previous congress regime for mismanagement on fiscal issue, he said wrong policies of the Amarinder Singh led govt. has pushed down Punjab at 6th rank and was lagging behind from Haryana too.

Earlier he addressed an impressive gathering at Gurdwara Nilpur Sahib where he and Raj Khurana Chief Parliamentary Secretary were honoured.