In a series of announcements aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the people of the state, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday promised cheaper petrol and LPG, besides 10% reduction in electricity duty to make power available at a more affordable cost throughout Punjab.Addressing a press conference here during a brief stopover while campaigning in the region for the coming assembly elections, Captain Amarinder said free travel for senior citizens and students on state transport buses would also be incorporated in the party’s poll manifesto. Additionally, ex-servicemen, police and paramilitary force personnel will also be able to avail the free travel facility on state transport buses, he added.Though the manifesto was a comprehensive document, addressing the concerns of every section of Punjab’s populace, the need to bring in some more welfare measures was strongly felt in party circles, said Captain Amarinder, explaining the rationale behind these announcements. Elaborating on the promise to bring about parity in petrol and LPG prices with Chandigarh and neighbouring states, Captain Amarinder said it was not fair that the people of Punjab had to pay more for the same amenity for which others were paying less.
In order to cut down on the cost, he said, taxes for petrol pumps will be rationalized to make them at par with others. This, he said, will help bring down the petrol price by about Rs. 3 per litre. Additionally, he said, LPG price would come down to Rs. 15 per cylinder through the initiative.Captain Amarinder said the decision on reduction of petrol and LPG prices was based on the feedback received from the people, particularly industrialists who said the higher rates of these commodities were impacting their business in Punjab. Transport and freight charges would be significantly reduced as a result of this initiative, thus giving a boost to the industry and further propelling the Congress efforts to revive the industry in the state after it comes to power in the state, he added.Reiterating his commitment to providing subsidized power to the industry and household consumers, along with free power for agricultural development, Captain Amarinder said it was felt necessary to further extend the benefit of cheaper power through additional measures.Referring to transportation which was under Badals' mafia control since the past 10 years, Captain Amarinder said he was committed to easing the people's burden on this count and the move to provide free travel to senior citizens and students was a step in this direction.