Sidhu aloof, Capt calls meet on power scenario
Wednesday, 10/07/2019
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sidhu-aloof-capt-calls-meet-on-power-scenario/799613.html
Chandigarh : As the demand for power has peaked in Punjab, resulting in power cuts, and the new Power Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu remaining incommunicado, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the situation.
In the last few days, while farmer and consumers have been protesting against power cuts, Sidhu is yet to assume the charge of power and non-renewable energy sources. The Opposition parties have made the power cuts an issue, mainly in the face of Sidhu’s absence.
Sources said though the Chief Minister had been monitoring the situation over the last few weeks, Wednesday’s meeting had been called to review the power situation and progress of other works.
There is no official word regarding the charge of the power department being given to some other minister. Cabinet ministers Brahm Mohindra and Tript Rajinder Bajwa have already advised Sidhu to assume the charge even as AAP and the SAD are linking the power situation to Sidhu’s absence.
The SAD has accused Sidhu of creating a constitutional crisis in the state by not joining his new department, while enjoying all perks.
It is learnt that Sidhu and the Chief Minister are sticking to their stand, amid efforts by the high command to strike a compromise between the two.
No end to feud
- CM Capt Amarinder Singh had, on June 6, divested Navjot Singh Sidhu of local bodies and cultural affairs departments and gave him the power department
- Sidhu was reportedly removed due to party’s poor show in urban areas in the recent Lok Sabha elections
- Presenting a detailed analysis of the party’s performance in rural and urban areas, Sidhu had claimed that he was being singled out
