Punjab's rice milling industry is grappling with a crippling power shortage that has compelled numerous mill owners to halt operations temporarily. The state is currently facing a massive power deficit of 1,051 megawatts (MW) against its entitled share from the Central Power Pool, according to an official statement by Punjab Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond.
The shortfall has hit the paddy procurement season particularly hard, as rice mills rely heavily on consistent electricity supply to operate hulling, polishing, and grading machinery. Many millers reported that irregular power cuts have made it nearly impossible to maintain production targets, forcing them to keep their units closed for extended periods.
Minister Sond urged the central government to immediately release Punjab's due allocation of power from the national grid. He emphasized that the ongoing shortage was not only affecting industrial output but also creating distress among farmers who are waiting for their paddy to be milled and paid for.
Power distribution companies in Punjab have acknowledged the severity of the situation, citing insufficient inflow from the Northern Region grid. Experts note that this deficit is significantly higher than the typical shortfall experienced during previous years, raising concerns about energy planning and inter-state power sharing arrangements.
The impact is being felt most acutely in the Malwa region, home to some of Punjab's largest rice milling clusters, including areas around Ludhiana, Patiala, and Faridkot. Cooperative societies and private millers alike have complained of losses mounting by the hour as machines sit idle.
Agriculture stakeholders warn that prolonged power outages could delay the paddy milling cycle, potentially affecting the state's rice export commitments and the income of thousands of farming families dependent on timely procurement.
