Centre promises Rs 5,000-cr investment in AP

Recognizing the best performance of Andhra Pradesh in the implementation of energy efficiency schemes in the areas of Domestic Efficient Lighting Program (DELP- LED program), LED Street Lighting Scheme in municipal and urban areas, the Union Govt is keen on ensuring the same rate of success for the implementation of Energy Efficient Agricultural pump sets scheme and showcase the same to other parts of the country for achieving the desired goals of energy savings.

Accordingly, Piyush Goyal, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, has assured Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of providing some Rs 5,000 crore investment in the energy efficient pumpset scheme which will be a boon for agricultural consumers as well as State economy, said I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary and Chairman SECM, while addressing the General Body and Executive Committee Meeting of SECM.

The Chief Secretary exhorted the official machinery to strive to reach the objective the Chief Minister to make Andhra Pradesh as the most EE State in the country, which will ultimately paves the way for saving of around 20 to 30 % of Energy on an average in the fields of Agriculture, Industry MA UD Panchayati Raj, Domestic sector and help immensely for economic development of the State. The CS has specifically suggested to all departments to mandatorily procure five-star rated appliances in all future procurements.

During the meeting, Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, I&I, CRDA, briefed up the CS about the pilot project of Energy Efficient Fans program, a first-of-its kind of National program, to be launched in Narsapuram by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu very soon. Under the scheme, five-star rated Fans will be distributed to the consumers and the amount of Fans will be recovered from the consumer’s bills upfront or over a period of 24 months. Domestic Consumers would be offered 2 No. of Fans, Five for Commercial & Ten for Institutional Sectors. During the tenders called for the program the final price of 5-star rated fan is realized at Rs. 955 as against the market price of Rs.1500 each. (NSS)