Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Sunday that the state will discontinue free electricity for ministers and public personnel. Beginning in July 2024, all government personnel, including CM Sarma himself, would be required to pay their own electricity bills.
Chief Minister Sarma shared the news on social media site X, emphasizing his commitment to eliminate VIP culture. He offered to be the first to pay his electrical bills beginning July 1, inviting other ministers and public servants to follow suit. “We are abolishing the #VIPCulture rule of paying Government officials’ electricity bills with taxpayer money. Myself and the Chief Secretary will set an example and start paying our power bills in July 1 onwards,” wrote Sarma.
This new rule aims to help the electricity board reduce its financial losses. From July 1, all public servants, government officials, employees, and ministers will be responsible for their own electricity bills, according to the Assam CM.
Additionally, the Assam government has introduced a program to automatically cut off electricity at all government offices, except for the CM Secretariat, Home, and Finance Departments, at 8 pm. This initiative has already been implemented in 8,000 government offices, schools, and other institutions throughout the state.
“Our goal is to gradually transition all government establishments to solar power, starting with our medical colleges and universities,” added Sarma.
Launch of Janata Bhawan Solar Project
In a ceremony at the state Secretariat complex on Sunday, CM Sarma launched the Janata Bhawan Solar Project. This project aims to promote the use of renewable energy across the state. It features a 2.5 MW capacity grid-connected solar PV system installed on rooftops and ground surfaces.
The Janata Bhawan Solar Project is expected to generate an average of 3 lakh units of electricity per month. The ₹12.56 crore investment for this project is anticipated to be recovered within four years.
With the implementation of this project, the Assam Secretariat complex will become India’s first civil secretariat to rely entirely on solar-generated electricity for daily consumption.
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