Provide free energy supplies to the agricultural sector, the Minister of Energy tells officials

Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said that the Andhra Pradesh government is taking concrete steps to strengthen the nine-hour free power supply program to the agriculture sector, making agriculture a profitable activity.

The government has given clear directions to power utilities to focus on the program and develop a robust system.

Addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat on June 24 (Monday), Mr. Ravi Kumar said that power companies should make concerted efforts to provide best services to consumers.

He wanted consumer complaints and charging issues to be resolved as a top priority. He asked DISCOMs to take steps to ensure 100% electricity supply in tribal areas.

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand said that power companies are working hard to successfully implement all power sector schemes.

Officials informed the Minister that the state has around 23 lakh SC/ST electricity consumers and power companies are making efforts to ensure power supply in all tribal areas.

It is planned to provide solar energy to tribal habitats where laying power lines is not possible, they claim.

Further, officials said that an underground cabling project is being implemented in Visakhapatnam under the Renewed Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

Mr. Ravi Kumar reviewed all the Central Government schemes and the progress of various schemes including RDSS and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.

AP-Genco CEO KVN Chakradhar Babu, DISCOM managing directors I. Prudhvi Tej and K. Santosha Rao, joint secretary (energy) BAVP Kumar Reddy, AP-Transco director (network) AKV Bhaskar and others were present.