Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal conducted a review of the power sector in the Union Territory of Puducherry at Raj Niwas, Puducherry, on October 26, 2024. The meeting was attended by Puducherry’s Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, the Minister for Electricity Department, senior officials from the UT administration, and representatives from the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
The session began with a presentation providing an overview of Puducherry’s power sector. Officials from the UT Electricity Department discussed the progress of projects funded by the Government of India under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), highlighting their role in improving the quality and availability of power across the territory. Key challenges and potential solutions within the sector were also examined, along with specific requests made to the Ministry of Power.
During his remarks, Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that his visit would be instrumental in addressing power sector issues in the UT. He stressed the importance of timely payment of government dues and urged the UT government to focus on reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and bridging the ACS-ARR (Average Cost of Supply-Average Revenue Realized) gap. He encouraged prompt action on RDSS-funded projects and recommended implementing the scheme’s reforms. Additionally, he suggested launching a consumer engagement initiative to promote awareness of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, encouraging rooftop solar installations. The Union Minister also advocated for the development of new solar and wind power facilities, including floating solar plants, as part of efforts to ensure the financial viability of the power department.
Shri Manohar Lal assured ongoing support from the Government of India for Puducherry’s overall development. The Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Puducherry expressed their appreciation for the Minister’s visit and commitment to addressing power and urban development challenges in the UT, pledging prompt action on necessary infrastructure works.
