CM launches ‘Saral’, promises zero power cut

Chief Minister Raghubar Das, amid acute power cuts going on due to short supply and extreme summer conditions, has said that providing reliable and uninterrupted supply was one of the main agendas of his Government. Along with reiterating the commitment to energise every household of the State by this Diwali, he also tasked officials of the Department to work religiously for this.

Speaking on the occasion of a mobile application launched by Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) on Thursday, the CM stressed that the target would be met at any cost. “Our aim is to take power connection to every home of the State by end of this year but if possible, do it by Diwali. Staffs and officials should work tirelessly to accomplish the task. Those who are inefficient should make way for the others,” said the CM and also distributed appointment letters to 493 technical staffs for better execution of power maintenance system.    

The CM while underlining the role of quality electricity supply for setting up a developed State, said that Jharkhand would enter into the league by 2022. “No development can even be dreamt of without power. We in Jharkhand are heading with this aim. Providing 24x7 power is among our top priorities and everyone should chip in to fulfill it on time,” added Raghubar Das. 

The mobile App named as ‘Saral’ would facilitate applying for online connection, load correction, name change, bill generation and payment to the consumers besides, allowing real time monitoring of the projects run by JBVNL, maintenance of transformers etc. Single window for resolving complaints of the consumers in speedy manner through toll free numbers-- 1912, 1800-123-8745, 1800-345-6570--  has also been setup.

“Technology is the key in this era but only that would not work. We have to ensure that these services are working properly. Besides dedication, the officials and staffs should also be provided with proper training. Since the Government has come we have gone on war footing to recruit manpower in every department which was not the case earlier. Here only politics has been done in the name of domicile that was used as an alibi to stop recruitments,” added the CM.  

He used the occasion to refer to series of works taking place all over the State to improve power infrastructure coming in the form of new transmission lines, power sub-stations, cabling and latest circuit breakers etc over the last four years. On the front of power generation the CM said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lay foundation stone for 4000 MW plant during his upcoming Jharkhand trip and also talked about expansion of PTPS with two more 660 MW units.

“These steps would make us a surplus power State in the years to come. We would be able to sell electricity to other States besides, meeting our domestic demands,” said the CM. Also present on the occasion was Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the CM Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Energy Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni, MD of JBVNL Rahul Purwar, JREDA Director Niranjan Kumar and other senior officials.