In Gandhinagar, a crucial meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committee was chaired by Minister Kanubhai Desai, who oversees finance, energy, and petrochemicals. This gathering brought together various members of Parliament and the state assembly to discuss pressing issues and solutions for the citizens of Gujarat.
Minister Desai began the meeting by expressing his gratitude to all the attendees, including department heads. He acknowledged the importance of these meetings, noting that many issues raised in previous sessions have been resolved promptly. The collaboration between the ministers and lawmakers has proven effective in addressing public concerns.
During the meeting, Desai provided updates on key decisions made by the finance and energy departments. He highlighted several public-friendly reforms in stamp duty and GST, designed to benefit the citizens. For instance, there has been a reduction in the rates for e-vehicles and passenger vehicles under the maxi category.
Moreover, the minister announced a decrease in fixed charges for electricity bills for farmers, emphasizing that 98% of villages in the state now have access to electricity during the day. A new rule states that for multiple landowners listed on land records (7/12 extracts), consent from all owners is no longer required to obtain an electricity connection. Instead, a self-declaration on notarized stamp paper will suffice, making it easier for farmers to access power.
The reduction in fuel charges has resulted in over ₹1900 crores of savings for electricity consumers in Gujarat. Additionally, for residential single-phase connections outside urban areas, the capacity limit has been increased from 3 KW to 6 KW without raising actual costs, aiming to ease the burden on residents.
Under the Kutiya Jyoti scheme, previous conditions required beneficiaries to be within 100 meters of a low-voltage electricity line to qualify. In light of recent suggestions, the state government has now decided to include beneficiaries located beyond this distance as well.
Furthermore, the limit for low-tension connections has been increased from 100 KW to 150 KW, benefitting industries that require higher power. Previously, industries were required to install their transformers, which posed challenges. The new decision alleviates these issues, simplifying the process for businesses.
Desai noted that there are instances when electricity supply is disrupted for various reasons. To combat this, the state government is set to introduce an emergency service to restore power quickly. Similar to health emergencies where people can call 108 for an ambulance, there will be a toll-free number for electricity restoration services, with teams dispatched to the scene.
Citizens will soon be able to register their electricity-related issues online, making it much easier to report and resolve problems.
The meeting included contributions from various assembly members, such as Lavinj Thakor from Radhanpur, Kanubhai Patel from Sanand, Kirit Singh Dahiya from Dholka, C.K. Raoulji from Godhara, Yogesh Patel from Manjalpur, Vijaybhai Patel from Dang, and Vimal Chudasama from Somnath. They raised a variety of issues, including electricity poles, farmers’ compensation, new sub-stations, underground cabling, power theft, smart meters, the Jyoti Gram scheme, and the provision of electricity in GIDC areas.
In conclusion, Minister Desai reaffirmed his commitment to swiftly resolving the questions presented during the meeting, directing relevant officials to take action. The assembly members appreciated the proactive approach and expressed their hopes for continued improvements in the energy sector.
This meeting serves as a testament to the Gujarat government’s dedication to addressing the needs of its citizens and ensuring that essential services like electricity are accessible and efficient for all.
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