Jaipur, April 29 (NationPress) Rajasthan's Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated on Tuesday that the state government is dedicated to achieving the vision of a developed Rajasthan, emphasizing the vital role of the Energy and Urban Development Department in this journey.

The Chief Minister noted that the state is receiving complete backing from the Central government to enhance the power infrastructure and urban development within the region.

"Our double-engine government is effectively executing public welfare initiatives, benefiting eight crore residents of the state," he remarked.

During a state-level review meeting with Union Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday at the Chief Minister's residence, he instructed officials to ensure the timely completion of joint projects between the central and state governments through effective coordination.

Regarding the review of the Energy Department, CM Sharma expressed: "Our aim is to provide daytime electricity to farmers by the year 2027, with the PM Kusum Yojana playing a crucial role in this objective."

He mentioned that approximately 800 MW of decentralized solar power plants have been rapidly established in the state under this scheme.

The Chief Minister directed officials to maintain production units and transmission systems properly to ensure sufficient power supply to consumers.

He acknowledged the ongoing support from the Central government in fortifying the power system.

"The previous Congress government's policies led to coal supply crises in our thermal units; however, with the assistance of the Central government, our thermal power plants are now adequately supplied with coal," he stated.

He added that during the Rabi season, the state has ensured an uninterrupted power supply to farmers.

The peak demand of 19,165 MW has been successfully met since February, he noted.

He expressed gratitude to the Central government for allocating a temporary power quota from the common pool of central power generation facilities.

CM Sharma requested Union Minister Manohar Lal to increase power allocation in line with the state's peak demand, to which he received a positive response.

The Union Minister stated that Rajasthan is achieving remarkable progress under Chief Minister Sharma's leadership.

He highlighted the excellent advancements being made in the state, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

The state government has made significant strides in the PM Kusum Yojana and PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, he added.

The Union Minister expressed satisfaction over Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam achieving profits exceeding Rs 355 crore as of December in the financial year 2024-25.

He emphasized the need for rapid development of pump storage and battery storage to ensure consistent power supply during peak hours.

Union Minister Manohar Lal remarked that Rajasthan ranks among the top states in the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme.

He added that this scheme is providing pollution-free and affordable energy.

During the meeting, the Union Minister announced in the State Budget 2025-26 the provision of 150 units of free electricity for families under the Chief Minister Free Electricity Scheme, connecting them to the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme.

Manohar Lal urged officials to expedite the scheme's implementation to connect as many families as possible.

He emphasized the priority of installing smart pre-paid meters for consumers, including state government departments.

The Central government will also provide support for this initiative.

While reviewing the Urban Development Department, the Union Minister stated that sewerage systems should be mandatory in every municipal body and that replacing outdated sewerage systems should be prioritized as necessary.

He commended the Chief Minister's initiative, Sadbhavna Kendra, aimed at assisting those in need and reusing unused items, describing it as a commendable effort.

During the discussion on the PM e-Bus Seva Yojana, it was reported that an initial allocation of 675 buses had been made to Rajasthan, with an additional 125 buses promised by the Centre to enhance public transportation in urban areas.

Topics such as the Jaipur Metro Project, Amrit 2.0, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were also addressed during the meeting.