Punjab was once famous for its green revolution; now it’s famous for its “free electricity revolution.” Every few weeks, the government proudly announces: “Bijli free hai!” And the crowd cheers. But somewhere behind that loudspeaker, a transformer hums sadly — it knows that nothing is truly free, not even the promises.
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Announcer, recently declared that “There will be no power cuts in Punjab from next summer.” The statement lit up headlines but not homes. In the villages, people are still using candles — not for Diwali, but for daily survival. The Chief Minister smiled beside him, nodding like an obedient backup generator. Together, they created the illusion of a shining, electrified Punjab — powered entirely by press conferences.
Meanwhile, the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL) silently counts its losses, engineers whisper about unpaid bills, and the finance department wonders whether “voltage” can be converted into “revenue.” But the leaders are unconcerned; for them, the real power lies not in grids but in tweets.
The irony of Punjab’s electricity story is electrifying in itself. Farmers still face irregular supply, small industries run on costly diesel, and ordinary citizens get 300 units free — but 300 excuses when they complain. The government calls it “reform”; the opposition calls it “electoral shock therapy.” Both may be right.
Sukhbir Singh Badal says, “The government is distributing free electricity like lollipops while mortgaging Punjab’s future.” Partap Singh Bajwa adds, “Every free unit comes with a hidden unit of debt.” But the AAP leaders respond proudly, “At least people are happy.” Indeed — happiness measured not in volts, but votes.
The political strategy is simple: why fix the power supply when you can fix the narrative? It’s cheaper to print posters than to upgrade transformers. As long as the photo-ops glow, who cares if the bulbs don’t?
And thus, Punjab today runs on three main sources of energy:
1️⃣ Public debt,
2️⃣ Political drama, and
3️⃣ Delhi’s remote control.
The day may not be far when the government proudly announces a new slogan:
“Bijli free hai, bill free hai, par Punjab ki treasury khali hai!”
Until then, the people of Punjab continue to pay — not in money, but in patience. The lights flicker, the speeches shine, and the truth remains in darkness. In this state of “free power,” the only thing that’s truly expensive is accountability.
So, the next time a politician promises 24-hour power, remember — in Punjab, the bulbs might glow, but the facts never do.