Ranchi: Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar chaired a high-level review meeting in Ranchi to assess the progress of Jharkhand’s power sector and urban development initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Jharkhand’s Urban Development and Housing Minister Sudivya Kumar, along with senior officials from the Jharkhand Government, the Union Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
During the meeting, the Union Minister outlined key priority areas for the state’s power department and called for a comprehensive action plan to strengthen electricity infrastructure and improve service delivery. Discussions covered the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the operational and financial performance of power distribution companies (DISCOMs), resource planning to meet future electricity demand, and expansion of the state’s transmission network.
Expressing concern over Jharkhand’s high Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and the significant gap between the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realisation (ARR), the minister urged the state government to take effective measures to improve the financial health of the power sector.
He also recommended restructuring the debt of state-owned DISCOMs and emphasised the need for timely clearance of pending electricity dues by government departments. To ensure regular bill payments, he advised the state to convert all electricity meters installed in government offices and institutions into prepaid meters by August 31, 2026.
The meeting further decided that the installation of smart meters for all high-load consumers, including commercial and industrial establishments, should be completed by August 31, 2026. The state was also asked to speed up smart meter installation for all other consumer categories.
Reviewing future electricity requirements, the minister assessed the state’s resource adequacy and transmission planning to ensure reliable power supply. He also reviewed the progress of grid electrification for tribal households under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) and urged the state to accelerate implementation.
The minister also reviewed the progress of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, asking the state government to expedite implementation and meet the targets under both programmes. He recommended giving priority to rooftop solar installations on government buildings to reduce dependence on grid electricity and lower the state’s power expenditure.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to Jharkhand’s development, Manohar Lal assured the state government of continued support for strengthening its power infrastructure and urban development initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Jharkhand’s Power Minister welcomed the Union Minister and thanked him for reviewing the state’s power sector. He assured that the state government would take all necessary steps to ensure timely execution of approved projects and improve the overall performance of the electricity sector.