GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has said he intends to launch the Saubhagya scheme in Meghalaya on April 20 and has invited Union minister of state (in charge) for power and new and renewable energy RK Singh to be present during the inauguration. Singh has accepted the invitation.
Under Saubhagya, free electricity connections to all households (both above poverty line and poor families) in rural areas and poor families in urban areas will be provided.
The chief minister also mentioned that if freight subsidy was provided for the coal meant for power plants, it might help in reducing electricity rates in the state.
Sangma met Singh in the national capital on Tuesday. During the meeting, both the ministers discussed ways for expediting the projects stuck-up due to various reasons. On the issue of shifting of a transmission line in Meghalaya (for laying a new railway line), Singh emphasised that it should be done without any disruption of supply to the consumers.
Singh assured all possible support for round-the-clock power supply in Meghalaya, including sanctioning of additional projects for strengthening the distribution system if required following a proposal from the state, a press statement issued by PIB here informed.
Singh referred to the target date for electrifying all the remaining villages in Meghalaya following which an assurance was given by the chief minister and the power minister to electrify all the villages by the deadline.
The chief minister thanked Singh for the support and cooperation extended to the state.
Giving a brief about his meetings with other Union ministers in shilling on Wednesday, Sangma said the state delegation that met Nitin Gadkari stressed the need to create more check dams in the state in order to solve the problem of floods and conservation of water. Sangma also sought the support and help for successfully hosting the 2022 National Games.
(With inputs from Shillong)
