GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh government has accorded top priority to modernise its Power Department. Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein who is also the Minister In-charge of Power Department, reviewed the functioning of the department on Monday.
Mein said that his priority would be to modernise the power department by utilising the modern technology and to improve power supply across the State and raise revenue collection by checking energy pilferage and revenue losses.
He said that we have a big responsibility as the challenges are many. He urged them to work together to draw a road map for future course of action in order to take forward the department.
He also said that the graph of development in Arunachal Pradesh has taken a big leap especially in communication sector in the eastern Arunachal over the last few years due to the coordinated effort by the ministers and the departmental officers.
He urged them to work with the same spirit and zeal and sought cooperation from the departmental officers to take forward the developmental works of the department to a newer height during his tenure.
He asked the Power and Hydro-power departments to work in close coordination along with the other stakeholder like Power Grid Corporation India Limited, whom he termed as a big partner in development of power sectors in the State.
Mein would meet Union Minister of Power in an early date to apprise him about the issues and place requirements of the State.
Chief Engineer (Eastern Electrical Zone), O Moyong presented an overall view of the department through a power point presentation. He informed that under the Deendayal Upadhyay Gramjyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Saubhagya Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Har Ghar Bijli Yojna), 1109 villages and 50,623 families were electrified during the year 2018-19.
He also informed that the department has collected revenue of Rs 266.34 Crore during the year 2018-19 with Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses of 55.59%. He also highlighted about the manpower shortage and funding issues of the department.