DW BUREAU / chandigarh Haryana Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy Ranjit Singh said that around 10 lakh smart metres will be installed in the state in the first phase, for which the Central Government has given a nod to grant of Rs 780 crore to Haryana. After receiving the grant, the state will have to spend only Rs 820 crore, however, earlier the total expenditure for installing smart metres was to cost about Rs 16,00 crore. Ranjit Singh had raised this issue during a video conferencing with the Union Minister of Power, RK Singh yesterday. Besides, Chief Ministers of three states, the Power Ministers of the remaining states were present in this meeting. Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Power lauded Haryana for reducing the line loss from 30.2 per cent to 17.4 per cent. During the meeting, Ranjit Singh said that the Power Departments or Companies of most states were in losses during the lockdown but the Power Utilities of Haryana remained in profits even during this period. He also raised the issue of tubewell connection of Haryana farmers before the Union Power Minister. He said that due to the lockdown, while there was a slowdown in every sector, farmers witnessed an increase of agricultural produce by about five percent. In such a situation, farmers should be encouraged. He informed the Union Minister that during the month of June, tubewell connections were issued by the power corporations to 4,868 farmers and mono-block connections were also given to 1,500 farmers. During the meeting, Power Minister Ranjit Singh gave a brief account of the achievements of Haryana, to Union Power Minister RK Singh. He said that of the cars being produced in the country 50 percent are produced in Haryana alone. Similarly, 33 percent two-wheelers, 82 percent JCB machines and 52 percent cranes are also manufactured in Haryana. He said that Haryana accounted for more than 30 percent of the total medals won by the country in wrestling, boxing and shooting. Ranjit Singh said that the way Haryana is ahead in many fields, likewise to give boost to the power sector, the state should get support from the Centre. Owing to his requests, Union Minister of Power announced a grant of Rs 780 crore for Haryana. Giving information about the smart metres to be installed in the state, Mr. Ranjit Singh said that 10 lakh smart metres will be installed in the first phase, of which one and a half lakh metres have been installed. In the second phase, 20 lakh meters will be purchased. In this way, an aim to install 30 lakh smart metres in Haryana by the year 2024 has been set. He informed that these metres are hi-tech and fully computerised. Consumers will even be able to monitor their metres. (editor@dailyworld.in)