Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 22 (ANI): Chairing a crucial meeting of the Energy Department on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the department’s presentation and emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about the timely payment of electricity bills, an official statement said.
He noted that, just as people pay their mobile bills on time, they should also be encouraged to do the same with their electricity bills. To achieve this, he urged the department to establish a robust mechanism. CM Yogi also stressed the importance of installing smart meters across the state, highlighting that the public should be prepared for this transition as smart meters are essential for modern needs, the statement added.
Chief Minister Yogi directed that electricity bills should reach every consumer’s home on time and without any errors. It is crucial to hold meter readers accountable for this.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need to educate consumers about the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme so they are fully aware of the options available for settling outstanding electricity bills.
The Chief Minister insisted that consumers should not be harassed over electricity bills under any circumstances. He noted that while the first five years were focused on developing infrastructure, the emphasis must now shift to maintaining quality.
The Chief Minister emphasized that if power is cut due to maintenance, consumers must be given prior notice about when and for how long the power supply will be disrupted. He advised using social media extensively for this purpose.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need to expedite the implementation of smart meters, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing ‘ease of living’ and providing genuine relief to consumers.
The officials informed the Chief Minister that there has been an increase in the hours of power supply in the state. Despite the intense heat and except for minor local faults, the government has effectively ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply since March 15, with no electricity shortages reported anywhere in the state.
According to the officials, there are 3.45 crore electricity connections in the state, with an increase of 30 lakh connections over the past two years. They reported that as of 2024, the revenue generated amounts to Rs 70,000 crores, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, consumer turnover stands at approximately 92 per cent in urban areas and 51 per cent in rural areas.
The Chief Minister was informed that in the state, 40 per cent of electricity bills are received online, 32 per cent are paid at counters, and 30 per cent are processed through various e-wallets. Online services have been strengthened to include facilities such as increasing load capacity and updating personal details like name and address through the app. Additionally, an average of 7 SMS reminders are sent each month to prompt payment of electricity bills.
The Chief Minister was briefed that Maintenance Month was observed during October-November 2023, yielding positive outcomes. Officials highlighted that the average electricity demand has surged during April, May, and June in the state. On normal summer days, the demand ranges between 27,000 to 28,000 MW, whereas during intense heat, it has peaked at 33,000 to 35,000 MW. It is anticipated to decrease following the onset of the monsoon season.
The Chief Minister was told that the installation of 10 units of 5255 MW in the state is progressing rapidly. Work is also going on on three big projects of 5120 MW, Obra D, Anpara E and Meja II. Furthermore, efforts have been made to minimize transmission losses of electricity in the state to 3 per cent, achieving a considerable reduction.
The Chief Minister was informed about several major departmental projects slated to commence in Noida, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow. Additionally, as part of the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Project, 1 crore solar rooftops are planned nationwide, with 25 lakh in Uttar Pradesh alone. For this, 16 lakh 97 thousand registrations have been completed. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for expeditious implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. (ANI)
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