Govt plans electric boost to India's kitchens as 'cheaper' option for cooking

The government has envisaged power foundation to be formed at the Ministry level, the objectives of which include cooking to completely run on electricity, said Union power minister RK Singh

New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy RK Singh on Monday said that the government is aiming to push electricity for cooking in a big way as it will provide the poor strata of the society a cheaper option for their day to day requirement, move the nation towards self-reliance and make it independent from imports.

“Electricity is the future of India and most of its infrastructure will be powered by electricity. The government has envisaged power foundation to be formed at the Ministry level, the objectives of which include cooking to completely run on electricity, which will allow our economy to be self-reliant and give us independence from imports. This government is for the poor and this move will help the poor strata of the society by giving them access to cheaper medium of cooking,” Singh said. 

The power minister rolled out the vision for the government while inaugurating a service building at NPGCL, Nabinagar, a shopping complex developed by NTPC for the people of Barh and the main plant canteen inside NTPC Barauni for convenience of NTPC employees and associates from New Delhi. The minister added that the delivery of various other pro poor measures like PM Awas Yojna and Har Ghar Bijlee, were accelerated during the lockdown by PM Narendra Modi.

Singh also praised the various initiatives of NTPC that show the power producer’s unflinching commitment to the nation and its economic growth.

 “In the past years, work done by NTPC has been acknowledged across the country. NTPC Family is recognised for its professionalism and efficiency and have set an example for not just the state of Bihar but also for the country. Questions have always been raised on the performance of PSUs, but looking at the performance of NTPC and other Power PSUs, it is clear that they are even better than the private players and have consistently made progress and profit. I thank NTPC for being a partner in the progress for the state of Bihar as well as other states towards nation building.”

RK Singh further said, “The expansion of NTPC will continue and it will keep setting benchmarks in professionalism, efficiency and being an ideal employer, professionalism and efficiency.”

He lauded the work done by NTPC for ensuring round the clock power supply during the lockdown. He added that fixed charges for DISCOMs were deferred and a rebate on cost was also given to states by India’s largest power producer during the lockdown period. He pointed out that that it is because of NTPC’s professional conduct and commitment to the nation that the ‘cream of the country’ from the IITs and the NITs want to work for such an ideal company.