Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, reviewed the matters relating to the power sector and urban development schemes for the State of Jharkhand in Ranchi today. The meeting was attended by Shri Sudivya Kumar, Minister of Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Jharkhand, along with senior officials from the State Government, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, and Power Sector CPSEs.
The meeting started with the Union Minister highlighting the key areas where the State Power/ Energy department could work on with a detailed action plan. Matters relating to the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and the operational and financial parameters of the DISCOMs, resource adequacy and transmission infrastructure planning to meet future power demand were discussed.
He noted the high AT&C losses and ACS-ARR gap and urged the State to take concerted steps to bring these to sustainable levels. He asked the State to make efforts in the direction of restructuring the debt liabilities of the State DISCOM.
He highlighted the need for timely clearance of outstanding Government department dues and urged the State to put in place a robust mechanism for regular settlement, with particular focus on prepaid conversion of meters installed with Government consumers / establishments by August 31, 2026.
Also, it was discussed to saturate the installation of smart meters for high load consumers, including the commercial and industrial consumers by August 31, 2026, and to expedite the installation for other category of consumers. The Union minister further reviewed the status of resource adequacy and intra-State Transmission planning so as to meet the growing demand.
He also reviewed the progress of on -grid electrification for Tribal households under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) and asked the State to expedite the pace of implementation. In respect of progress under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, the State was urged to accelerate implementation and meet targets under both schemes.
It was also advised to saturate the rooftop installation on State Government buildings on a priority which would help in reducing the financial burden on State budget due to reduced demand of power from grid. Union Minister of Power assured of the continued support and cooperation of the Government of India in the overall development of the State.
The Minister for Power, Government of Jharkhand, welcomed the Union Minister and thanked him for reviewing the matters of the power sector in the State. He assured of taking all necessary measures for expeditious implementation of the works sanctioned for the State and for improving the overall performance of the power sector.