Haryana Power Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala said that the Government has done remarkable work in the power sector, which has paved way for the State to become one of the leading States in the country in terms of providing electricity to its people. Despite hikes in prices of coal, petrol, disease, land and other items, the Government has not increased power tariff for consumers in the last nine years. Additionally, 24 hours power supply is being provided in 5739 out of the total 6307 villages of the State. Also, the State has successfully reduced electricity transmission losses to 9.37 per cent, he added.

Chautala, who is also the Jails Minister of the State, said that a high-security jail which is being constructed in Rohtak district for prisoners serving time for heinous crimes will be completed in the next three months.

Chautala had won 2019 Assembly election as an independent candidate from Ratia Constituency of Fatehabad district and extended his support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form Government in the State. He said that he may contest Lok Sabha election in 2024 if BJP high command asks for it.

In an exclusive interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Chautala talked about Power Department’s achievements, measures taken as the Jail Minister for modernization of jails among other issues.

There is no clarity whether the BJP and JJP will fight next year’s Assembly and Lok Sabha polls together, as their leaders are taking digs at one other. What do you see the future of this coalition government in the State?

It is an internal matter of both the parties. Our support to this government is unconditional and for the full five-year term.

Being a Power Minister, what are your achievements?

Lot of work has been done in the power sector in the State. Haryana has successfully reduced electricity transmission losses to 9.37 per cent from 31 per cent in 2014 and the power corporations have managed to save more than Rs 6,,000 crore. All of this has been possible due to the Department's emphasis on curbing electricity theft, reducing line losses and strengthening the metering system in the State. Moreover, despite the hike in prices of coal, petrol, disease, land and other items, we have not increased power tariff for consumers. Tubewell connections are being distributed to the farmers. Haryana is at number one in the country in providing tubewell connection operated at solar energy. So far, about 33,000 connections have been given under Kusum Solar Yojana. We have set a target of providing 50,000 connections, which will be completed soon.

Some State Governments are giving ‘free electricity’ to its people. Have you thought of it?

This concept has totally failed as under the scheme, people do not get power adequately. In such states, it was observed that ‘free electricity means no electricity or inadequate power supply’. This neither benefits the consumers nor the government. People of State have also understood this and are fully supporting the government. Lot of facilities are being provided to the power consumers in the State. We have not increased the electricity rates in the last nine years, and have instead brought relief to the people by reducing the power tariffs. Moreover, to strengthen the power sector, we have provided relief to the consumers by waiving off the overcharge. Not only this, defaulted consumers were given an option to pay the principal amount of their electricity bills in installments and the interest and surcharge of crores of rupees was also waived off. Haryana has become one of the leading states in the Country in the Energy Efficiency Rank.

What are the steps taken to promote solar energy in the State?

Our Government has emphasized on promoting the use of solar energy. People are encouraged to get optimum benefits of solar energy. Several schemes have been launched for the promotion of solar energy in the State. Around 30,000 solar connections have been given and the work of giving 50,000 more solar connections is underway. A target has been set to provide a total of 1 lakh solar connections. The use of solar energy has resulted in the fact that earlier a total of Rs 7,200 crore was given as subsidy on electricity, whereas today Rs 5,500 crore is given as subsidy. Apart from this, to promote the use of solar energy in government buildings, the Rooftop Solar Policy has been implemented.

Modernisation of jails was one of the topmost priorities soon after you joined the Government as Jail Minister. Four years down the line, what is the progress?

Several steps have been taken in this direction. A highsecurity jail is being set up at Rohtak at the cost of around Rs 76 crore. It would have 50 jammers, a dog squad, deep earth metal detectors and boundary wall check posts. Besides providing training to develop market-oriented job skills among inmates, an open air camp (prison) has been started in Karnal jail. It will help prisoners to reintegrate with society after their release from the jail. The aim of the project is to encourage good conduct, satisfactory performance of work and a life of self-discipline among the prisoners.

Additionally, we have made efforts to bring about a change in the mindsets of the prisoners in jails so that people have more faith in them. Fuel pump is being operated by jail inmates at Kurukshetra Jail premises. Eligible prisoners are allowed to get employment here. This petrol pump earns around Rs 70, 000 per day. The motive is to socialize the prisoners with mainstream society and reform them. This will give a message to other prisoners as well so that they refine their behaviour. When people come to this filling station, they see that the prisoners can also work like common people. Such petrol pumps will also be opened at 10 other places including two at Ambala, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Jhajjar, Faridabad, Gurugram, Bhiwani, Jind and Hisar.

Do you have any plan to contest the Lok Sabha election in 2024?

During his recent visit to Sirsa, senior BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah stayed in my home for around 40 minutes. If the BJP high command gives me a ticket, I would join the party and contest the Lok Sabha election in 2024.

What are the upcoming proposals for the State?

 We have given special attention to promote the use of solar energy. The Power Department is preparing a proposal to set up power plants through solar panels to be installed on canals across the state. Paddy stubble-based plants will also be set up at four places in the State for power generation. Out of these, a plant will also be set up in Fatehabad.

Recently, a jail official was arrested while accepting a Rs 1 lakh bribe from family members of an inmate in lieu of providing him better treatment inside the prison.  What steps have you taken to check corruption in the Jail department?

Our government follows zero tolerance towards corruption. A State AntiCorruption Bureau team had taken action against the accused officials. The Department will take stringent action against corrupt officials in the State.

What are the works done being an MLA of Rania constituency?

On the demand of the people, works like construction of roads, irrigation facilities, power supply, community halls and among others have been completed. I am approachable every time for our constituency people. People meet me on a daily basis at the Secretariat office and party office at Ratia. Whatever demands being made by the people of the constituency are addressed on priority basis.