This decision taken by the state cabinet is expected to increase the treasury of the Punjab government by Rs 1500 to 1800 crore every year. However, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the scheme of 300 units of free electricity every month on domestic category connections will continue.
The Bhagwant Mann government of Punjab has given two big shocks to the general public today. The Aam Aadmi Party government of the state on Thursday increased the VAT on petrol and diesel as well as increased the prices of electricity. In November 2021, the then Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi government had cut the electricity prices by three rupees per unit for domestic consumers with connected load up to 7 kilowatts. But today the Bhagwant Mann government withdrew that decision taken by the Charanjit Singh Channi government.
The treasury of the Punjab government will increase by Rs 1800 crore every year
This decision taken by the state cabinet is expected to increase the treasury of the Punjab government by Rs 1500 to 1800 crore every year. However, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the scheme of 300 units of free electricity every month on domestic category connections will continue.
AAP government took back the decision of Congress government
In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, it was decided to withdraw the decision of the previous Congress government. After the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the previous government had reduced the electricity rates by three rupees per unit for domestic consumers with load up to seven kilowatts. The current government of Punjab has withdrawn that decision of the previous government.
300 units of free electricity scheme will continue in the state
Harpal Singh Cheema said that however, the 300 units of free electricity scheme started by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will continue. When asked about the savings to the state government by withdrawing the decision of the Congress government, the Finance Minister said, “This will generate a revenue of Rs 1500-1800 crore.
VAT on petrol and diesel also increased
In the same cabinet meeting held in Punjab today, approval was also given to increase the value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel in the state. Bhagwant Mann government has increased VAT on petrol in Punjab by 61 paise per liter and diesel by 92 paise per liter. By increasing VAT on petrol and diesel, the Punjab government will get an extra revenue of Rs 395 crore from diesel and Rs 150 crore from petrol.
