Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal said that in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Developed India-2047, the Ministry of Power has taken rapid steps towards fulfilling the target of Power for All-For All Time. Under which a target has been set to install prepaid meters in government buildings, offices and residential colonies by August 2025. A discount of two to five percent per month will be given in the bill on installing prepaid meters. Haryana has been announced to be given a five percent discount.
Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal was presiding over the conference of Energy Ministers of Northern States held in Chandigarh. Talking to reporters, the Union Minister said that energy has the biggest contribution in realizing the vision of Developed India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now steps are being taken towards renewable energy. The states which used to have a shortage of electricity have become surplus states today. Ministers and officials from Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and many other states participated in the conference of Energy Ministers. During the conference, there was a comprehensive and meaningful discussion on various issues related to the energy sector, including inter-state transmission capacity, strengthening energy infrastructure and ensuring adequacy of resources. Along with this, the Central Government is continuously working in the direction of strengthening the energy infrastructure of the country in collaboration with the states, on this also the Union Minister informed the Energy Ministers in detail.
The Union Minister said that every aspect was discussed in detail in the six-hour long meeting. Especially there was discussion on increasing the transmission capacity and reducing line losses. At the same time, the northern states were given the target of installing prepaid meters in all government buildings, offices and residential colonies by August 2025. After this, prepaid meters will be installed to commercial and high load consumers. The work of installing prepaid will be completed in a phased manner.
Sufficient Electricity As Per Demand
The Union Energy Minister said that the demand for electricity is at its peak during the summer season. In the year 2024, the demand was 250 GW, while in 2025 it has increased to over 260 GW. There is sufficient electricity across the country as per the demand. During the conference, there was a detailed discussion on strengthening the inter-state transmission. At the same time, consultations were also held with the energy ministers of all the states regarding increasing investment. A provision of Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been made by the central government, which the states can take without interest for a long period of 50 years.
Smart Meters Will Stop Electricity Theft & Reduce Line Loss
The Union Energy Minister clarified that the energy ministers have been given the target of reducing line loss. At present, the average line loss at the national level is 16 percent, while in many states this average is 17 to 20 percent. To reduce line loss and increase the income of power corporations, it has been decided to install smart meters.
Focus On Building Green Energy Corridors
Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal said in the conference of Energy Ministers that green energy corridors should be built, this will increase the production of renewable energy. In 2014, the share of renewable energy was 32 percent which has now increased to over 45 percent. At the same time, green energy is being promoted in industries because some restrictions are to be imposed at the global level, in view of which industries have been given the target of producing green energy. The Union Minister said that in the coming time, products will be imported from green energy and electricity will also be supplied to other countries.
Free Electricity Is Given To Farmers As A Subsidy
Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal, while answering the question of farmers’ protest regarding prepaid meters, clarified that farmers do not need to worry, they are getting free electricity, subsidy is being given by the government. He also said that a plan for solar rooftop has been prepared by the central government. With this, every house, village, city along with the state will become self-sufficient in electricity. At the same time, the Union Minister said that earlier thermal power plants were installed, now their form has changed, now nuclear and wind plants are being installed along with solar.
