Rana Gurjit Singh : SYL a major challenge
Saturday, 18/03/2017
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Punjab Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh took the charge of his office here in the morning with commitments to fulfil the promises made by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to the masses.
While referring to Amarinder’s promises, he mentioned the cut in power tariffs besides developing a well-planned strategy on the SYL issue to safeguard the rights of the state.
The Cabinet minister took charge of his office after Ardas in the presence of Advocate General Atul Nanda, Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh, Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra, his wife and former MLA Rana Rajbans Kaur, his sister-in-law and former MLA Sukhjinder Kaur and a number of his supporters, family members and friends, who had brought huge baskets of ladoos.
Asked about his top priority, the minister said that it would be to meet the promises made by Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in its manifesto and accordingly he would focus on developing a well-planned strategy on the SYL canal issue to safeguard the water rights of the state besides adopting consumer friendly power tariff policy.
“The SAD-BJP government failed to fight a strong legal battle on SYL. I had word with Advocate General Atul Nanda and discussed the issue. We will be framing a well-planned strategy to present Punjab Case during next hearing of the case in Supreme Court on March 28,” said Rana Gurjit.
On Power tariff issue, the minister said that a number of industrial units from state got shifted to others parts of the country during last 10 years because of mismanaged power tariff policy of SAD-BJP government.
He said that Amarinder Singh and PPCC had promised in its manifesto to reform power tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers.
An industrialist by profession Rana Gurjeet further said: “As I am myself a power generator, I know what measures should we take to improve the situation in Punjab. Let me have word with the officers as I have called a meeting with Secretary Power and Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) to discuss the issue, I will come up with a proper strategy, which would be completely practical.
Asked if he was happy with the portfolio allotted to him, Rana Gurjit said: “Irrigation and power are the departments which are close to the CM for the economy depending upon them. So I am lucky to have got the two.”
About challenges, he said that the path was full of challenges but maintaining that the intent was clear.
“We are committed to put Punjab back on the fast track of economic growth and prosperity,” the minister reiterated.
Day 1: Festivity & promises all around
After the people of Punjab gave mandate in favour of Congress party, Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday formed his government and allocated different departments to a team of nine members of his council of ministers. Though Amarinder Singh had resumed the office on Thursday itself, a majority of his ministers did the same on Friday. The Punjab Civil Secretariat was abuzz with activity and freshness in the air as ministers were assuming offices in the presence of dozens of their supporters and well wishers, who had come with bouquets and boxes of ladoos and barfi in hands. Amid
the whole festivity, DailyPost Assistant Editor Rajay Deep spoke to some of the ministers to know about their experience, challenges they foresee and strategy to meet the promises they made while seeking votes a few weeks back.
