Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Punjab Power Crisis Sparks Government-Opposition Showdown
Punjab recently had long electricity cuts in several areas.
The Punjab government now says the shortage is over.
It says electricity has been available without interruption since 6 am and promises no more cuts in the coming days.
The opposition Congress does not agree that the problem has been properly handled.
Congress says some people faced cuts lasting 10 to 12 hours.
It plans to protest outside the power corporation’s headquarters in Patiala.
The government says some power-plant units stopped working because of technical problems.
It also says Punjab did not receive its full share of electricity from the central pool.
The government says the broken units have been restored and that coal supplies are sufficient.
The Bhagwant Mann government says Punjab’s power crisis has ended and promises no further cuts.
Punjab Congress plans a Monday protest outside Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters in Patiala.
Congress alleges that households, farmers and industry faced power cuts lasting 10 to 12 hours.
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal attributed the crisis to thermal-plant technical failures and an alleged reduction in Punjab’s central-pool allocation.
Dhaliwal said affected generating units were restored, with Punjab producing about 5,000 MW against demand of around 15,700 MW.
- Who
- The Bhagwant Mann government and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, are defending the response, while Punjab Congress and its chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring are opposing it.
- What
- Punjab’s power shortage has become a political dispute after reports of prolonged power cuts and the government’s claim that the crisis has ended.
- When
- The government said uninterrupted supply had been available since 6 am; Punjab Congress announced a protest for Monday, but the articles do not provide exact dates.
- Where
- Across Punjab, with the planned protest outside Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters in Patiala.
- Why
- The government attributes the shortage to technical failures at thermal plants and an alleged reduction in Punjab’s central-pool allocation, while the opposition is challenging the government’s handling of the cuts.
Opposition Criticism
Government Defense
Whether the crisis has ended
Opposition Criticism
Punjab Congress is continuing its attack over prolonged cuts and says the reported disruption requires a major protest.
Government Defense
The Bhagwant Mann government says Punjab has emerged from the crisis, uninterrupted supply has been available since 6 am, and no further cuts are expected in the coming days.
Cause of the shortage
Opposition Criticism
The opposition is questioning the government’s handling of the shortage and its effect on households, farmers and industry.
Government Defense
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal blamed technical problems at thermal power plants and alleged that Punjab received less than its full central-pool allocation.
Coal availability
Opposition Criticism
The power shortage has raised concerns amid wider complaints about electricity and fertiliser availability during the paddy season.
Government Defense
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal rejected reports of a coal shortage and said Punjab’s thermal plants have adequate coal stocks.
- Reported power cuts
- Opposition reports said cuts lasted 10 to 12 hours.
- Current demand
- Punjab’s power demand was described as around 15,700 MW.
- State generation
- Punjab was generating around 5,000 MW of its own power.
- Central-pool allocation
- Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal alleged Punjab did not receive its full 1,051 MW share.
- Plant problems
- One unit each at Talwandi Sabo and Nabha was reportedly out for three to four days, while Goindwal Sahib also faced a technical problem.
- Government position
- The government says the affected units have been restored and promises no further cuts in the coming days.
- Planned protest
- Punjab Congress announced a Monday protest outside Punjab State Power Corporation Limited headquarters in Patiala.