The Union Minister for Power and the former Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, made a case for self-meter reading for electricity consumers and bill generation through a mobile application during a review in Itanagar on power sector schemes and projects in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Pema Khandu, and the Union Power Secretary, Mr. Pankaj Agarwal (1992-batch IAS officer), were also present at the meeting.
In his address, Minister Khattar said, “The central government is making continuous efforts for the overall progress of the north-eastern region of the country. In the last decade, the Union government has been extremely sensitive to the needs of the region and has been taking up works for better connectivity, improved infrastructure and welfare of the people.”
Arunachal Pradesh has approximately 38% (about 50 GW) of India’s total hydropower potential, which is the highest among all states. Discussions were held on Compensatory Afforestation Land availability as it is crucial for taking up early development of hydropower projects in the northeastern state.
