Bhopal:  Preparations are underway to increase electricity bills once again in Madhya Pradesh. However, the state's Energy Minister, Pradyuman Singh Tomar, has distanced himself from the increase in electricity rates. Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar met with the media to highlight the department's achievements in the past two years. During this, he stated that Madhya Pradesh's electricity companies have suffered the lowest losses. However, when asked why electricity rates are being increased when losses have decreased, he replied, "The issue of increasing electricity rates is between the electricity distribution companies and the Electricity Regulatory Commission." The Energy Minister further stated, "The electricity department will soon open its own police stations to prevent power theft in the state. The electricity companies will also have their own police."

Officers will be taken on deputation from PHQ

Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar  said, "Incidents of power theft have increased, it is necessary to stop them. Power theft is a serious crime. There is a provision of 3 years' imprisonment for this. To stop power theft, power police stations will be started soon in Madhya Pradesh. For this, the Energy Department will call officers from the PHQ on deputation. Initially, power police stations will be established at the divisional level. For this, the proposal for setting up the energy police structure has been approved and new posts are being created. The electricity companies will bear the expenses of the power police stations. Meanwhile, a way is also being explored to provide permanent power connections to the illegal colonies of the state."

Electricity demand record broken

Minister Pradyuman Singh stated that on December 12th, the state experienced the highest power demand in its history, reaching 19,113 MW, which was supplied without interruption. The state currently has a total contracted power capacity of 25,081 MW, making it a surplus state. A target for increasing power capacity by 2037 has been set, including a target of 3,500 MW for solar energy.

Under this, the tender process for the 600 MW Morena Solar Park has been completed. Additionally, 6340 MW Kusum and 2000 MW are proposed on a complementary basis. A target of 3200 MW has been set for wind energy, of which the tender process for 1600 MW is underway. Furthermore, targets have been set for 4250 MW of storage and 2000 MW of thermal power generation capacity.

Smart meter work should be completed in the next one year

The minister said, "51,711 employees are being appointed in the state's power companies. The process has been started. Meanwhile, the installation of smart meters is underway in the state. So far, 29 lakh smart meters have been installed in the state. In this, a 20 percent discount is being given on daily consumption from 9 am to 6 pm. The installation of smart meters will be completed in the next one year."