PNS|Vijayawada
State Energy, Forest, Environment, and Mines Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy has announced that by March, 1.25 lakh new agricultural electricity connections will be given to farmers across the State. He held a review meeting with the officials of the Energy department on Monday and told the officials to work as per the directives given by CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to provide quality electricity to the farmers throughout the State for nine hours during the daytime.
Minister Peddireddy said that free electricity connection should be granted to every eligible applicant. By the end of next month, a total of 1.25 lakh connections should be completed. Also, 100 substations under construction in the State should also be completed by the same deadline.
An action plan should be prepared to meet the demand for electricity for the coming summer season and new units in Krishnapatnam and NTTPS should also be brought into use.
The Minister said that as per the current estimates, the demand for electricity is 210 million units per day. This demand is expected to increase to 240 million units in the months of March and April. Keeping in view the demand, necessary measures should be taken for power generation and procurement without power cuts. Currently available coal reserves in thermal power stations should be increased. Also, necessary steps should be taken to purchase electricity from outside if necessary to meet the demand in summer.
Minister Peddireddy said that about Rs 349 crore are due from HT connections from private factories and businesses across the state and the Discoms should focus on this. These arrears should be collected 100% in the next two months. These dues have to be collected within a specified time limit. Demand notices should be issued for arrears with regular electricity bills.
He further said that there are 9979 Jagananna colony layouts across the state. Out of these 2617 layouts i.e. about 26.25 percent of electrification has been completed. Out of the total of Rs 1850 crores, till now Rs 257.41 crores was spent which is 25.67 percent.
Electricity connection is given to a total of 1.65 lakhs in Jagananna layouts and colonies in the state. CM YS Jagan is constantly working to strengthen the Energy Department and provide better services to the people and the officials should work accordingly, said the Minister.
Energy Department Special Chief Secretary Vijayanand, Transco CMD B Sridhar, JMD I Prithvitej, Vigilance JMD Malla Reddy, Transco CMD, and officials were present.
