Centre will provide all possible assistance to Andhra Pradesh in the field of green energy
Amaravati: The Centre has responded positively to the Andhra Pradesh government’s request to provide all necessary assistance in promoting renewable energy and other urban development works. This assurance was given by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday.
Inaugurating the Energy Efficiency Programme in Andhra Pradesh, the Union Minister praised Andhra Pradesh’s efforts in energy saving. Manohar Lal Khattar said, “Andhra Pradesh is the first state to implement energy saving measures by distributing energy efficient appliances, including induction stoves. Energy saving measures will be followed across the country.”
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that Urjaveers received a good response and 12,000 people registered in 15 days. He said, “Urjaveers can earn money by creating awareness about energy-saving measures among people.”
He said that with flexible and virtual work culture, people, including women, will have abundant opportunities to earn money from home if they are provided with the required skills.
Special measures have been taken for skill upgradation among people. He said energy-saving induction stoves are being distributed to 55,600 Anganwadis, which will save 20 per cent electricity. Naidu said the previous YSRCP government had purchased power at a higher price. He said the state had to pay power suppliers even without using it. “The state government is studying the problems inherited from the previous government in the power department. The power department has been in a shambles for the last five years and the present government is trying to set the department right,” he said. “They (the previous government) could not complete the construction of power stations on time. The entire (power) department is in a shambles because of wrong decisions of the YSRCP government, which purchased power at a higher price,” he said. Naidu said Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani has been charged by the US Justice Department for his alleged role in a years-old scheme to pay bribes of US$250 million to Indian officials, including in Andhra Pradesh, in exchange for favourable solar power contracts, a charge denied by the Indian group. He said the state government has started focusing more on green energy and has set a target of raising Rs 10 lakh crore in the power sector in the next five years.
