CM asks officials to take steps to reduce dependency on DVC for power

Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren asked the officials to take all the necessary steps in order to reduce dependency on Damodar Valley Corporation for power. 

Chairing the review meeting over the functioning of the power department he said that the state has all the resources including coal and water but despite that, the state is not able to produce power to meet its requirements and is being forced to buy power from other sources. He asked the officials to strengthen the power sector in the state so not only the state can become self-reliant in the area of power but also revenue is increased.

He said that in the seven districts which fall under the command area of DVC power is being purchased at a higher rate which also causes losses of revenue. He asked the officials to speed up the construction of transmission lines and substations in the DVC command area.

The officials of the department said that the transmission line between Latehar-Chatta was ready and the substation was also ready after which dependency over DVC in one more district will end. The officials said that while power is purchased from DVC at Rs 5 per unit while with the start of transmission line per unit cost of power will be Rs 3 per unit.

The Chief Minister said that under the present power distribution system revenue was at loss and to address it strict measures needed to be adopted.  He said that the distribution of the power bills and the collection system should be made better. 

The officials of the department said that 34 percent operating loss was being incurred in the power sector mostly on account of faulty meters, weak transmission lines, feeder, collection and power theft and all necessary steps to check these flaws are being taken in the state. The officials said that a statewide campaign is being conducted against power theft in the state.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister asked to encourage renewable sources of energy and asked to encourage solar power apart from that next to the dam option of setting hydel power plants should be explored. The officials informed the Chief Minister that plans for setting up a mega power plant and solar power park have been prepared.

The officials informed that due to vacant posts problems are being faced in improving the power sector in the state and is also impacting revenue collection over which the Chief Minister asked to fill all the vacant posts including those of linemen.