Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal reviewed the power sector for the state of Madhya Pradesh at a meeting. The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the state minister for Urban Development and Housing Kailash Vijayvargiya, the state minister for Power Pradyumna Singh Tomar, and senior officials from the state government, the Ministry of Power and central power sector public sector enterprises. The review focused on operational and reform priorities for the state power sector.

The Union Minister outlined a detailed action plan and discussed matters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and the operational and financial parameters of distribution companies (DISCOMs). He advised timely payment of subsidies and clearance of government department dues within the same financial year and recommended a robust mechanism for regular settlement. The review covered progress on smart metering and urged expeditious implementation across government establishments, urban local bodies, and commercial and industrial consumers with conversion to prepaid mode in a phased manner. Improving billing efficiency through metering of agricultural feeders was identified as a priority.

The minister also reviewed resource adequacy, including grid and storage planning, and advised the state to secure additional capacity to meet growing demand. Progress under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was examined and the state was urged to meet its targets under the scheme. On PM-KUSUM he suggested leveraging the programme to progressively reduce agricultural subsidy. The need to expedite identification of sites for nuclear power capacity under the SHANTI Act framework was emphasised and the minister observed that sustained efforts would aid the financial viability of the DISCOMs and help the state attain self-sufficiency in power.

The Union Minister assured continued support and cooperation from the central government for the overall development of the state power sector. The state minister for power welcomed the review and committed to expeditious implementation of sanctioned works and measures to improve sector performance.