In a bid to provide affordable and uninterrupted power supply to industrial, agricultural and domestic consumers , the Kamal Nath Government is working towards reducing transmission losses and upgrading power production facilities in Madhya Pradesh.
The State Government, helmed by Chief Minister Kamal Nath, is committed to providing 10 hours of electricity to farmers while the target for domestic consumers is set for uninterrupted round-the-clock supply.
According to officials at the Energy Department in the State Capital, a slew of measures is underway to ensure the development of the power sector into a financially viable self-reliant unit providing affordable electricity across the consumer spectrum.
Listing out measures, the officials say both Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Energy Minister Priyavrat Singh have been instrumental in expanding the policy framework with a vision to facilitate the upgrade of production and transmission facilities.
A power deficit state, Madhya Pradesh faces a range of challenges that require attention and action on a war footing. While the establishment of new generation facilities is pertinent for the long term, the upgradation of existing production facilities and transmission infrastructure is crucial for the everyday supply of power in the state.
With the state requisitioning power to feed its ever-burgeoning supply needs, the state government has effected some astute policy reengineering and budgetary planning and allocations to ensure that affordable power is made available to all.
Rising to the challenge the State Government has given its assent to the requisition of 2,640 megawatt of electricity to fulfill the long-term supply needs.
The Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company (MPPGCL), the power generation arm of the State Government, has earned requisite approvals of nearly Rs 1,715 crore as part amount or loan from the State Government for its various projects. Another Rs 2,552.9 crores have been approved for existing and under construction power projects.
Amid attempts to strengthen transmission, the Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company, the transmission arm for the western region in the State, has been entrusted with the approvals for a guarantee of a loan bid of Rs 1,200 crore. The State Government has also agreed to extend guarantee to its wholly-owned transmission arms for a loan of Rs 2,900 crore from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
Credit facilities have also been provided to MPPGCL and Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company (MPPMCL) for a total of Rs 2,200 crore.
In keeping with efforts to minimise transmission snags the department of energy has laid down norms for time-efficient correction and replacement of faulty or burnt out transformers. All efforts are underway to ensure a reduction in the incidents of tripping.
Norms for safe and technically advanced maintenance measures have been put in place while stringent checks are being conducted to ensure the quality consumables and power supply hardware received from private vendors.
Consumer-friendly measures have been launched to ensure the timely redressal of grievances and steps are being taken to improve the various aspects of domestic supply, metering, billing and collection processes.
Household connections relying on agricultural feeders are being provided single phase electricity starting 6pm.
Measures are being taken to provide neighbourhood and doorstep services to consumers across the state, department employees are also being imparted with training to help upgrade their skills with a special emphasis on safety.
Officials say every aspect of the sector, be it technical or commercial, is being studied with a view to bring a quality change to each micro process which would in-turn contribute to better performance of both men and materials involved in the production, distribution and supply of power.
A raft of power welfare schemes has also been launched by the Government (see box).
With Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Energy Minister Priyavrat Singh leading the charge, an electrifying change seems to be in the offing for Madhya Pradesh.
