Surjewala accepts CM’s dare for debate on power tariff

Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala accepted the challenge of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for a public debate on electricity tariffs and governance issues.

Surjewala took to social media platforms ‘X’ and Facebook on Wednesday to respond to the CM’s remarks, demanding answers on key issues impacting the people of Haryana.

“CM Nayab Saini ji, I accept your challenge. Tell me when and where you will give an account of the Rs 5,000 crore burden imposed on the people of Haryana in the form of inflated electricity bills, the betrayal of youth employed under HKRN and the repeated paper leaks in recruitment exams! Jai Haryana!” said Surjewala on his social media platforms.

Surjewala’s reaction came a day after CM Saini, while reviewing preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Hisar, accused Surjewala and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda of misleading the public on the issues of electricity tariffs and quality of power supply. The CM also dared both Congress leaders to come forward for a public debate based on facts.

Saini, in his statement, criticised the previous Congress regime for prolonged power cuts, saying, “During the Congress tenure, even a storm in Pakistan led to power cuts here. Today, we are delivering 24-hour electricity to the people.”

The CM’s reaction came after Surjewala and his son Aditya Surjewala staged a dharna in Kaithal on Sunday over the hike in power tariffs. In this protest, Randeep accused the government of committing a “robbery” of around Rs 5,000 crore annually from the pockets of Haryana’s people. He called the hike in power tariffs a “financial attack” on households, farmers, small businesses and religious institutions.

Haryana Tribune