Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Power Minister Chowna Mein on Monday said that his priority would be to modernize the power department by utilizing the modern technology and to improve the power distribution in the state.
Mein was taking stock of the power department after becoming the minister of the important ministry.
In the meeting, Mein said that his priority would be to modernize the department by utilising modern technology and to improve power supply across the state. Also, he laid emphasis on raising revenue collection by checking energy pilferage and revenue losses.
“We have a big responsibility as there are many challenges. I urge the department officials to work together to draw a road map for future course of action,” Mein said.
“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. I urge you all to work with the same spirit and zeal,” Mein added.
The deputy chief minister also 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.
Earlier, Chief Engineer (Eastern Electrical Zone) O Moyong presented an overall view of the department. 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 last fiscal with aggregate technical & commercial losses of 55.59 per cent. He also highlighted about the manpower shortage and funding issues of the department.
