Electricity Minister Announces Incentives for 4,294 Corporation Employees for Heroic Efforts During Flood Crisis
Agartala, 30th September 2024: In recognition of their relentless and courageous efforts to maintain uninterrupted power supply during the recent floods, 4,294 employees of the state electricity corporation will be awarded one-time financial grants. Announcing this in a press conference at the Secretariat today, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated that the corporation has allocated ₹25,52,200 for the purpose, with individual grants ranging from ₹1,700 to ₹400. The minister also shared that 574 employees, including Helpers-2, Helpers, and Senior Helpers, will be promoted to Junior Lineman positions, leading to salary increments of ₹1,100 to ₹4,300, depending on their tenure.
Reflecting on last year’s Durga Puja, the minister revealed that on Ashtami, the state’s power demand had peaked at 311.3 MW. This year, the average power demand has risen to 330 MW, with a record high of 378.5 MW on September 20, 2024. To ensure uninterrupted power supply during the upcoming Puja, a target of 390 MW has been set, with plans to purchase an additional 105 MW at a cost of ₹2 crore.
Minister Nath further informed that under a World Bank-funded initiative, a ₹1,800 crore project aimed at improving the state’s power infrastructure is underway. As part of this effort, nine new substations will be operational soon, including 132 kV stations at Belonia, Manu Dhalai, and Amarpur, and 33 kV stations at Garjee, Sekerkote, Muhuripur, Nidya, and Dalak. Additionally, the capacity of the Gournagar 132 kV substation has been enhanced and will be operational shortly. Work on the development of other 132 kV and 33 kV substations is ongoing.
Ahead of the Durga Puja and Diwali festivals, the state electricity corporation has been working on a comprehensive plan to ensure uninterrupted power supply. According to the minister, 95% of the preparatory work has already been completed, including jungle clearance, transformer replacement and repair, and pole adjustments. To further ensure smooth operations, the corporation has implemented a shift-duty system and canceled all leave for electricity staff during the festive period.
