Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday condemned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's decision to appoint an outsider as the chairman of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC).
Outsider Appointment Sparks Controversy
Reacting to the appointment of Sanjay Gupta, former chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh, as the PSERC chairman, Warring said AAP was humiliating Punjabis by deputing outsiders to positions meant for them. Gupta's appointment has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress, with Warring accusing the AAP government of sidelining local talent.
“It is now an established and acknowledged fact that AAP has outsourced the entire government to Delhi, with people from the capital manning all departments. The latest appointment has further rubbed salt into the wounds of Punjabis,” Warring said. He questioned why the AAP government could not find a suitable candidate from Punjab to head the PSERC.
Previous Instances of Outsiders in Key Posts
Warring pointed out that the AAP government had earlier also appointed chairpersons to several boards and corporations from outside the state. He alleged that this trend reflects a lack of trust in Punjab's own administrative and technical expertise. The Congress leader demanded that the government reconsider its decision and appoint a Punjabi to the post.
The PSERC is a crucial regulatory body that determines electricity tariffs and ensures efficient power supply in the state. Critics argue that appointing an outsider, especially one with no prior experience in Punjab's power sector, could lead to policy misalignment and disregard for local issues.
Warring's remarks come amid growing political tensions between the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress in Punjab. The Congress has been vocal about what it calls the AAP government's failure to prioritize local interests. This latest controversy is expected to further intensify the political debate in the state.
