Haryana CM directs discoms to ensure uninterrupted power supply

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday asked officials of electricity distribution companies to complete supply-related work on a priority basis and ensure round-the-clock power to domestic and industrial consumers.

Saini met officials of power distribution companies (discoms) and instructed them to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers across the state.

Saini said that Gurugram requires special attention as there have been various complaints about higher electricity fees charged by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of group housing societies.

The chief minister directed senior officials of the power corporations to hold meetings with these RWAs, formulate appropriate norms and ensure a fair arrangement for consumers so that they do not face inconvenience, according to an official statement.

Saini also directed officers to expedite the installation of an additional transformer at the 220 kV substation in Sector 57, Gurugram, construction of the boundary wall of the power house in Sector 38, construction of control rooms at the Gharaunda and Nangal Chaudhary substations, and construction of boundary walls at the Malikpur and Manesar substations.

The chief minister further said that Faridabad is a major industrial hub and uninterrupted power supply must be ensured to industries so that industrial operations continue smoothly.

He also directed officers to formulate an effective policy to address complaints related to incorrect electricity bills.

Consumer grievances should be registered through helpline numbers and resolved promptly, Saini said.

He asked officials to formulate a plan for installing solar panels along the boundaries of agricultural fields under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

The initiative would promote solar energy, create an additional source of income for farmers and help Haryana move towards self-reliance in the power sector, he said.

Besides, he said, one village in each district, having low transmission and distribution losses and 100 per cent electricity bill payment, should be selected under a pilot project for development as a smart village.

Similar initiatives should also be undertaken in urban areas to maximise solar energy generation across the state.

The chief minister asked officials to formulate a solar energy-based scheme for rural electricity consumers to help reduce their electricity bills to zero.

Such a scheme should provide for the installation of solar power plants of at least 2 kW at consumers' homes, enabling them to receive the full benefit of a subsidy of Rs 78,000.

He also referred to arrangements for making 350 units of electricity available to rural consumers through solar power generation.

During the meeting, the chief minister was informed by the officers that work is underway to install solar power plants on government buildings, including bus stands, schools, medical institutions, educational institutions and mini-secretariats.

He instructed that solar power plants be installed on all 248 new school buildings proposed in the state and that efforts be made to ensure solar power installations in all schools.

Saini further said that a Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) testing laboratory would be established on 30 acres of land at Asan Kalan village in Panipat.

During the meeting, officers informed the chief minister about the progress of smart meter installation under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. A total of 2.22 lakh smart meters are targeted to be installed by March 2027.

Haryana's Model Solar Village initiative, under which solar power plants are being installed at the homes of economically weaker families without any financial contribution from the beneficiaries, is a pioneering model in the country, Saini said, adding that the initiative would help make clean energy accessible to poor households while reducing their electricity expenses.