Former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday accused the BJP government of mismanaging the state’s economy, law and order and electricity supply, alleging that farmers, workers, government employees, traders and other sections of society were suffering under its rule.
Addressing journalists in Rohtak, Hooda criticised the government over the three-day power supply disruption across Haryana and alleged that its decision to privatise electricity distribution in Gurugram and Nuh was intended to benefit a private company at the expense of consumers.
“When we first learnt about the privatisation of power distribution in Gurugram and Nuh, we immediately expressed our concerns. I personally raised the issue in the assembly, but the government deliberately ignored it to favour private companies. The entire state has had to pay the price for this,” he said.
Hooda warns of impact on electricity subsidies
Questioning who would compensate consumers for the losses suffered during the power disruption, Hooda alleged that the government had failed to oppose privatisation despite the Congress raising concerns over the move.
He also accused the government of presenting itself as supportive of electricity employees after they demonstrated unity during their protest.
“We suspect that the government might still push ahead with this decision to benefit a private company, but the Congress will oppose it on every platform. If power distribution falls into private hands, the subsidies currently provided to farmers will be eliminated,” Hooda said.
The Congress leader reiterated his opposition to handing over electricity distribution to private companies, arguing that the move could affect consumers and farmers who depend on government subsidies.
Farmers struggling to sell paddy and bajra, Hooda alleges
Hooda also targeted the state government over the procurement of paddy and bajra, alleging that farmers were struggling to sell their produce at mandis despite repeated demands for timely procurement and the lifting of stocks.
He accused the government of avoiding procurement at the minimum support price (MSP), claiming that farmers were being forced to sell their crops below the guaranteed rates.
According to Hooda, farmers were selling paddy at around ₹400 per quintal below the MSP, while bajra was fetching ₹800 to ₹900 per quintal less than the support price.
The former chief minister alleged that the problems faced by farmers, coupled with the power supply disruption and concerns over privatisation, reflected the state government’s failure to address the needs of different sections of society.