CG: Electrification in Naxal Areas, Solar emphasised

RAIPUR,INDIA: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday emphasized promoting solar energy and utilizing new technologies to control expenditure.

He was holding a detailed review meeting of the Department of Energy at the Ministry Mahanadi Bhavan to ensure continuous and uninterrupted power supply in the state.

He stated that the government aims to make Chhattisgarh self-sufficient by promoting solar energy, leveraging the latest technologies, and providing enhanced facilities to consumers.

Furthermore, the government is committed to achieving the goal of electrifying every household in both rural and urban areas.

Sai praised the comprehensive electrification efforts in Naxal-affected areas under the Need Nellanar Yojana. He highlighted that providing electricity to all Naxal-affected villages is a priority for the state government. The initiative will integrate villagers into the mainstream of Development and improve their standard of living. The Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the process of illuminating all remaining areas still deprived of electricity.

Sai asked the officials to provide special relief to consumers for clearing arrears on electricity bills. He noted that non-payment of electricity bills results in revenue loss for the government and creates inconvenience for consumers. To address the issue, he emphasized implementing special facilities for outstanding bill payments, ensuring consumer relief while boosting government revenue.

Additionally, he stressed that consumers should receive notifications about their electricity bills via mobile messages and links, facilitating easy online payments. The Chief Minister reviewed various state and central government schemes related to rural and urban electrification. He stressed that the application of modern technology in the energy sector would not only lead to electricity savings but also enhance consumer convenience.

The Chief Minister asked officials to improve the quality of power supply, reduce transmission and distribution losses, and formulate concrete strategies to prevent technical and commercial losses. He strongly advocated for the increased use of solar energy, noting Chhattisgarh's vast potential for solar power generation. He directed that new schemes should be effectively implemented at domestic, commercial, and industrial levels to harness this potential.

He further instructed officials to prioritize solar power projects and encourage greater public participation to achieve self-sufficiency in energy production.