High-voltage lines in Shanghai, China, on Friday, June 23, 2023. Extreme weather already promises another test of the power grid, just months after heat waves | Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
The Assam government on Saturday approved a project worth Rs 5,197 crore to modernize electricity distribution infrastructure in the state.
The detailed project report for implementation of distribution infrastructure works in power sector received a nod from the Cabinet during the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the day.
“The total DPR cost for modernization and system improvement works is estimated at Rs 5,196.91 crore,” a cabinet communiqué shared by Sarma on X said.
The project to modernize Assam’s power distribution system will be implemented under the Union Government’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
The Cabinet note also said, “The project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026 and will benefit around 67 lakh electricity consumers across the state.”
The Council of Ministers also decided that a power purchase agreement would be entered into for 100 MW at rates offered by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), which would enable Assam to source green energy from renewable sources.
It has also approved the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (MMLSAY) for streamlining medical reimbursement procedures for government employees and pensioners.
“All medical reimbursement claims will be processed through an online portal of the Atal Amrit Abhiyan Society. Medical reimbursements under MMLSAY will be made at the rates of the Central Government Health Insurance Scheme (CGHS),” the cabinet document said.
The employees can opt for the scheme through monthly premium contributions where the amount will be determined based on their rank and this will be half of the CGHS rates, it added.
The cabinet also decided to provide government jobs to surviving relatives or relatives of army, navy and air force personnel who made supreme sacrifice for the nation.
The government approved the exclusion of the entire Tiwa Autonomous Council area from the jurisdiction of the Assam Capital Region.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
First print: September 23, 2023 | 11:41 PM IST