Chandigarh The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) on Monday announced an average tariff hike of 12.08%, which would be levied on consumers retrospectively from April 1, 2012.

PSERC chairperson Romila Dubey said the hike for domestic consumers who consume less than 100 units would be 53 paise a unit, for consumers using 101 to 300 units, the tariff would be R5.49 paise a unit up from earlier R4.96 paise per unit. Above 300 units, it would be R5.81 paise per unit from the earlier R5.23 paise.

Even as he accepted Punjab’s case for enhanced allocation to augment the rural water supply system, as it faces the problem of presence of uranium, arsenic, and heavy metals in ground water used for drinking, Union Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday advised the State government to introspect and analyse its performance record on utilisation of previous grants for the purpose.

Primary sector's contribution to GSDP is declining, that of secondary & tertiary increasing

Punjab—the pioneer of Green Revolution—is facing stagnancy in agricultural growth. According to an economic survey, the share of primary sector in the gross state domestic product (GSDP) is constantly decreasing in the state while that of secondary as well as tertiary sector is increasing. Survey shows the growth in primary sector has been tardy, due to near saturation in production of wheat and paddy in the absence of technological break through.

Budget proposals include increase in outlays for education and social security measures for youth

Even as he announced major increases in outlays for education, agriculture, social security and programmes for the youth, Punjab's new Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa in his maiden Budget speech in the State Assembly here on Wednesday came up with proposals that left Rs.3,123.31 crore as revenue deficit and Rs.8,923.92 crore as fiscal deficit. The State would also require at least Rs.2000 crore more to implement its Rs.14,000-crore Annual Plan for the 2012-13 fiscal.

Expectations are always there from Budget, but in case of the Punjab Budget, which will be announced on June 20, there is already a feeling of dejection.

The fall in hydro-power generation in some northern states has affected the power scene in Punjab.

New Delhi Punjab, the grain bowl of India, is in danger of losing the coveted tag as depleting groundwater levels force the state to seriously consider reducing the planting of water-intensive paddy crop in the medium-to-long term to avoid a disaster.

After a recent meeting with Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Planning Commission has decided to send a team of experts to the state to review the problem and suggest ways to tackle it, official sources told FE.

The Annual Plan for Punjab for the current fiscal has been finalised at Rs.14,000 crore at a meeting here between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Initiating the discussions on Punjab's Plan performance, Mr. Ahluwalia lauded the State Government's efforts towards improving the health of the State's economy as also initiatives targeted at providing a boost to sectors such as health and education.

Planning Commission nod for cancer hospital in Malwa; water-logging, depleting water table to be dealt with.

The Centre will be providing separate funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for enhancing road connectivity in the six border districts of Punjab.