Ensure power supply to farmers from agriculture feeders from 6 am to 6 pm: Bihar CM

Patna, Jul 9 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers through agriculture feeders from 6 am to 6 pm every day. He also asked officials to expedite the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and step up public awareness to ensure that its benefits reach all eligible households. A statement by the Chief Minister's Office said, "The CM jointly chaired a high-level review meeting with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, here to review the development of the renewable energy sector and energy security in Bihar. He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers through agriculture feeders from 6 am to 6 pm daily." The meeting focused on expanding clean energy, achieving energy self-sufficiency and planning new projects to meet the state's future energy requirements. Choudhary instructed officials to ensure that the targets under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are achieved on time. He asked them to simplify procedural formalities so that eligible families can avail themselves of the scheme's benefits without delay. All district magistrates have already been instructed to expedite the implementation of the scheme and meet the targets assigned to their respective districts, the statement said. Emphasising the need to prioritise solarisation of the agriculture sector under the PM-KUSUM Yojana, he said solar-powered irrigation would reduce farmers' input costs while promoting clean energy. He said Bihar has significant potential for floating solar projects and directed officials to undertake scientific studies of reservoirs and other suitable sites to prepare action plans for new projects. He also called for framing a green hydrogen policy for the state, saying Bihar must prepare itself for emerging clean energy technologies in view of future energy requirements and industrial growth. Referring to global geopolitical uncertainties and the volatility in fossil fuel supply chains, he said India must accelerate its transition towards clean and self-reliant energy. Timely implementation of renewable energy projects, he added, would help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of an energy self-reliant India, it said. PTI PKD MNB