Tuesday, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In a major decision, the Uttarakhand government has decided to slash the electricity bill of the consumers using less than 100 units of electricity in a month by half.
The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced this measure for 11.50 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) electricity consumers in the State on his birthday on Monday. The CM said that the State government will give 50 per cent subsidy to the consumers using less than 100 units in a month. In the snow covered areas of high Himalayan mountain ranges the consumers using up to 200 units in a month will get the benefit of the subsidy. The consumers having maximum demand of one Kilowatt will be eligible for the subsidy.
The CM made this announcement in a programme organized at his residence on Monday. He also unveiled five Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded projects of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL) on the occasion.
These projects include construction of 220 KV GIS substation at Selaqui and associated power line works, 132 KV GIS substations at Aara Ghar, Lohaghat, Dhaulakheda and Khatima II.
The CM also inaugurated the centrally funded RDSS scheme in which 16 lakh smart meters will be installed in the Garhwal and Kumaon circles of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) on the occasion. The ADB funded Uttarakhand climate resilient power system development project was also inaugurated by the CM. The power lines in Dehradun city will be installed underground under the project. The total project cost is Rs 977 Crores. The CM also handed over the possession letters to 101 beneficiaries of the Laxmi Awas Yojana (under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) of Shikarpur, Roorkee and Haridwar.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the State government is moving forward in the path of development in every field. He said that the power projects unveiled today will help in improving power distribution and supply. This will also help in strengthening the economy of the State. He added that the installation of the smart meters will help in solving the problems of the people and strengthen the power supply system.
Speaking on the occasion cabinet minister Premchand Agarwal said that the CM has given many gifts to the people of the State on his birthday. He said that the CM has developed a new work culture in the State.
Cabinet minister Rekha Arya, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Mahendra Bhatt, Rajya Sabha MP Kalpana Saini, chief secretary Radha Raturi, secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, UPCL MD Anil Kumar, PTCUL MD PC Dhyani and others were present on the occasion.
