Latest news with #SuryaGhar-MuftBijliYojana
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh chief secretary orders quick fix to power outages
Chief secretary Rajeev Verma conducted a review meeting of Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) on Tuesday following rising public complaints about frequent unscheduled power cuts across the city. The meeting, attended by engineering secretary Prerna Puri, chief engineer CB Ojha and senior CPDL officials, focused on improving the power situation since CPDL took over distribution responsibilities on February 1 this year. During the meeting, Verma expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating power supply quality, particularly highlighting issues of unscheduled outages and delayed response times that have inconvenienced residents. CPDL officials presented a detailed status report outlining both ongoing corrective measures and future plans to stabilise the power supply. Officials informed that CPDL has initiated grid infrastructure strengthening through scheduled maintenance at all substations, especially crucial ahead of peak summer demand. To address immediate fault resolution, CPDL has outsourced specialised Fault Response Teams (FRTs) to ensure quicker complaint redressal. On the consumer service front, CPDL has launched a 24x7 call centre, a dedicated WhatsApp helpline, and now provides both electricity meters and power cables free of cost — items that consumers previously had to purchase themselves. The new system ensures meter installations within 72 hours of application. The presentation also revealed significant challenges, including aging infrastructure with frequent equipment failures identified during post-privatisation surveys and acute staff shortages currently being managed through outsourced manpower. Looking ahead, CPDL is developing a robust cybersecurity framework and an 'islanding network' to maintain uninterrupted power supply to critical services like hospitals during grid failures. The CPDL is also actively implementing the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana to promote solar energy adoption. The chief secretary was also apprised of the ongoing rollout of the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY), along with future projects aimed at expanding and modernising Chandigarh's power delivery network. The chief secretary has directed officials to ensure that power disruption is minimalised and response time be improved.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Naidu aims to make Andhra a defence manufacturing hub
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday congratulated defence minister Rajnath Singh on the success of Operation Sindoor and presented plans to make the state a national hub for defence manufacturing. The chief of the Telugu Desam Party — a key member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — also emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign significantly aided the country during the armed conflict with Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. The state's plans align with the Viksit Bharat initiative, the chief minister said, and expressed the state's readiness to contribute to the country's defence ecosystem with its 'strong infrastructure base, skilled workforce, and proactive policy environment'. 'Operation Sindoor has increased trust in our defence forces. We have requested a Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) Centre of Excellence at IIT Tirupati and proposed the creation of a common storage policy for ammunition, along with the necessary infrastructure for storage, testing, and a streamlined licensing framework,' Naidu stated. During his meeting with Singh, the CM has presented a series of plans including the development of a defence cluster between Jaggayyapet and Donakonda on 6,000 acres of land for the establishment of missile and ammunition production units. 'Similarly, in the Lepakshi–Madakasira region, with 10,000 acres available, we proposed setting up facilities for military and civil aircraft manufacturing, along with electronics production. The defence minister responded positively to the idea of building a full-fledged aerospace ecosystem,' he said. Additionally, the state government requested the establishment of naval equipment production and weapon testing facilities in the Visakhapatnam-Anakapalli region, Naidu said. The government has also proposed to develop units focussed on military drones, robotics and advance defence components in 4,000 acres of land at Orvakal in Kurnool district, he added. The CM also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman and submitted a proposal seeking central support for the Polavaram-Banakacherla river linkage project, which aims to divert surplus water from the Godavari River to Krishna basin to provide irrigation in the water-scarce areas in south-central Andhra Pradesh. Naidu also met Union minister for new and renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi and submitted a proposal seeking rooftop solar capacity allocations under the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana.
