LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, March 18: The State government today begged for a reply to a question raised in the Jharkhand assembly by BJP MLA Anant Ojha over uninterrupted power supply in Jharkhand.
The MLA’s first question was whether the power supply has deteriorated over the years in Jharkhand despite having got a budget of Rs 4,854 crore (it was Rs 700 crore at the time of formation of Jharkhand) and the power supply remains disrupted for over eight to 10 hours.
Minister Mithilesh Thakur, reply on behalf of the Energy department, admitted that question is partially correct, but said that urban areas get 22 hours power supply while rural pockets get 20 hours of power.
Ojha dared the minister to give district wise break of power supply during the last three months. The minister gave a vague answer that there is no shortage of power and the power gets disrupted due to local faults. He did not give concrete facts on the power supply but assured that it will be smooth till 2024.
To another question that the power production has deteriorated over the years in Jharkhand in the face of hike in the consumers to 48 lakhs from 6 lakhs, the minister said it is partially correct.
He pointed our that Jharkhand gets 3100 MW during 2022-23 from various agencies, including NTPC (700 MW), NHPC (69 MW), PTC (153 MW), DVC (608 MW), TVNL (420 MW), APNRL (189 MW), Inland Power (63 MW), Grasim Ltd (01 MW), Sikidri (130 MW), Wind power (300 MW), and Solar Power (476 MW).
The minister also partially admitted that there are 53 grids in the State but the districts are not getting supply in accordance with the need leading to adverse impact on the power transmission.
The minister further said that the JUVNL has signed MoUs with North Karnpura NTPC (324 MW), Barh NTPC (52 MW), Wind Power (200 MW), Solar Power (250 MW), PUVNL Patratu (3400 MW) to ensure 24-hour power supply.
