Warring accuses PSPCL of corruption, mismanagement over Punjab power crisis
Thousands of Congress workers stopped from reaching PSPCL office in Patiala
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), September 14, 2026: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of corruption and mismanagement, alleging that these factors were responsible for the ongoing power crisis in the state.
Warring was leading a protest by thousands of Congress workers in Patiala against the power situation. However, a heavy police contingent stopped the protesters from reaching the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) office by putting up barricades along the route.
Addressing the protesters, Warring said the power crisis was “man-made” and alleged that the PSPCL had been poorly managed under the AAP government.
He questioned the appointment of outgoing PSPCL Chairman Basant Garg, alleging that the government had changed the eligibility rules to appoint a non-technocrat to the post. Warring claimed that Garg had held multiple positions and attended office for only around 20 days during his 300-day tenure as chairman.
Warring also alleged irregularities in the appointment of the PSPCL Director Generation. He claimed that the government removed incumbent Director Harjit Singh after he refused to follow its directions and subsequently appointed another person who, according to him, was not eligible for the post.
On the power shortage, Warring rejected the government's explanation that coal shortage was responsible for the crisis. He said Punjab had its own coal mine and alleged that inadequate planning and an employees' strike had affected power generation at the Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar thermal plants.
He further alleged that PSPCL was now purchasing power at around ₹8.10 per unit, compared with about ₹5 per unit a few years ago, and claimed that brokers were being used for power purchases.
Warring also raised questions over the state government's power subsidy payments. Referring to the reported ₹22,000 crore subsidy bill for agricultural and free power, he questioned the whereabouts of ₹7,000 crore, alleging that the amount had “disappeared”.
The Congress leader also accused the Punjab government of paying large brokerage amounts for raising loans. He alleged that ₹150 crore was paid as brokerage for a ₹10,000 crore loan and another ₹340 crore for a ₹25,000 crore loan.
Warring said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had “taken Punjab back by 25 years” and accused the government of failing on multiple fronts.
He also announced that the Congress would hold a major protest in Chandigarh on Tuesday under the leadership of newly appointed Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, demanding the removal of Finance Minister Harpal Cheema.
Warring also sought justice in the case involving Gulzar Singh, referring to allegations that he was driven to suicide. He alleged that Cheema's associates were responsible for the circumstances leading to the death.
The allegations made by Warring could not be independently verified.