“Wrong/delayed bill disappoints the consumer” – CM Yogi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a review of the current status of power generation, transmission, and distribution in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, alongside the Minister of Energy. The meeting focused on ongoing efforts and future plans, with participation from senior officials and engineers of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and all DISCOMs. The Chief Minister provided key guidelines during the meeting, including:

Under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister, the state has achieved the goal of ‘Sabko Bijli-Nirbadh Bijli’ (uninterrupted electricity to all) in the last seven years. Electricity now reaches every village and majra, ensuring equitable distribution without any VIP culture. It is gratifying that currently, electricity is supplied without discrimination. Especially during the intense heat, additional efforts were made to ensure convenience for the public, with round-the-clock electricity provided statewide from March 15 to June 30.

In addition to various hydropower projects, 22 thermal projects are successfully operational in the state, located in Anpara, Harduaganj, Obra, Parichha, and Jawaharpur. The construction of units in Ghatampur, Panki, Obra-C, and Jawaharpur should be completed promptly.

Apart from Obra D, Anpara E and Meja Thermal Project-II being set up as a joint venture with NTPC, the work of Khurja Thermal Project under construction with THDC is expected to be accelerated. These initiatives will significantly enhance the state’s power generation capacity.

A study should be conducted to explore the feasibility of establishing pump storage plants at Rihand Dam, Obra Reservoir, and nearby areas.

Electricity demand is growing rapidly, with peak demand rising from 20,062 MW in 2018-19 to 30,618 MW on June 13 this year. To meet public needs, uninterrupted power supply was ensured during the summer. It is essential to provide adequate power supply in accordance with demand.

To achieve the goal of ‘Har Ghar Bijli- Nirbadh Bijli,’ it is crucial to enhance the power transmission system. Before establishing a new substation, a thorough assessment of local needs must be conducted. New substations should be set up based on a five-year requirement target.

Whether in rural or urban areas, any damaged transformer should be repaired immediately, with new transformers provided as needed. Adherence to the stipulated time limits is essential, and the performance of agencies responsible for transformer repairs should be monitored. All calls to the toll-free number/helpline must be attended to, ensuring that every consumer’s issue is addressed promptly.

There is often dissatisfaction among the public regarding fixing the electricity connection charge, highlighting the need for uniformity. Rules should be improved to ensure consistency, with a focus on reducing unnecessary infrastructure charges and prioritizing the convenience of the common citizen.

The primary challenge faced by the Power Corporation is to accurately and promptly issue bills and collect payments from all consumers.  It is crucial that no consumer receives an incorrect electricity bill and that all bills are delivered on time. Overbilling or delays not only inconvenience consumers but also diminish their confidence in the system, affecting their willingness to pay. Concrete efforts must be made by all, from Discom to feeder, to ensure timely and accurate billing and effective communication with consumers is essential to achieve this goal.

Line losses are steadily decreasing due to strategic efforts. It is essential to combat electricity theft and monitor the performance of meter readers. We must ensure that no consumer faces harassment under the guise of meter checks or outstanding bills, maintaining a goodwill approach in all interactions.

There is considerable enthusiasm for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana, with over 18 lakh people having registered for the program. It is important to promote this scheme widely and encourage more individuals to take part.

Necessary steps should be taken to develop all municipal corporations, including Ayodhya, as ‘Solar Cities.’

Complete the process of land acquisition for the proposed solar parks in Jhansi, Lalitpur, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Chitrakoot and Jalaun expeditiously. Similarly, in accordance with the bio-energy policy, the process of setting up CBG, bio-coal and bio-diesel plants should also be taken forward.