“Bijli Mahotsav” organized jointly by Punjab government and GoI in Raikot 

Raikot (Ludhiana), July 28, 2022: As part of celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark 75 years of India's Independence, Ministry of Power in association with District Administration Ludhiana on Thursday organized a ‘Bijli Mahotsav’ in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Community Centre, Raikot.

 The Bijli Mahotsav was used as a platform to celebrate the collaboration between the state and the central governments and highlight the key achievements of the power sector.

Atam Nagar MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu was the chief guest on the occasion, while SDM Raikot Gurbir Singh Kohli was the guest of honour. 

While addressing the gathering, Ashutosh Bahuguna of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Ltd, on belhalf of Government of India, said that there was an increase in generation capacity from 2,48,554 MW in 2014 to 4,00,000 MW today which is 1,85,000 MW more than our demand. He said that India was exporting electricity to its neighboring countries now and 1,63,000 ckm of transmission lines added, connecting entire country into one grid running on one frequency. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Myanmar border it has emerged as the largest integrated grid in the world.

He said that India could transmit 1, 12,000 MW of electricity from one corner of the country to the other using this grid. He said that the government had committed in COP21 that by 2030, 40% of our generation capacity would be from Renewable Energy sources. We have achieved this target by November 2021, 9 years ahead of schedule. “Today we generate 1,63,000 MW through Renewable Energy sources. We are installing Renewable Energy capacity at the fasted pace in the world. With a total outlay of Rs.2,01,722 Crore we have strengthened the distribution infrastructure in past five years by – making 2,921 new sub-stations, augmentation of 3,926 sub-stations, installing 6,04,465 ckm LT lines, installing 2,68,838 11 KV HT lines, Feeder segregation of 1,22,123 ckm agricultural feeders and installing,” he said.

SDM Gurbir Singh Kohli said that the government had introduced Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 under which, maximum time limit for getting a new connection had been notified, Consumers can now become prosumer by adopting roof top solar, Timely billing will be ensured, Timelines notified for addressing the meter related complaints, The state regulatory authority will notify timelines for other services, DISCOMs will set up 24X7 call centers to address to consumer complaints, Achieved 100% village electrification (18,374) in 2018 in 987 days, Achieved 100% household electrification (2.86 Cr) in 18 months. Identified as the world’s largest electrification drive. A Scheme has also been introduced for adoption of solar pumps under which – central government will give 30% subsidy and state government will give 30% subsidy. In addition, 30% loan facility will be available.

Chief Guest MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu said that the Bijli Mahotsavs were being celebrated all over the country under the umbrella of Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047 for more public participation and getting across the developments in the power sector to the citizens at large. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, 600 units of free power were being given to all households and many such pro-people initiatives would be launched soon.
Prominent among present on the occasion included SE Surjeet Singh, Executive Engineer Preet Mohinder Singh and others.