Power Ministry launches 'URJA' app to better consumer connect

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal launched a mobile app aimed at enhancing the consumer connect with the urban power distribution sector.

The app, named as 'URJA'- Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan Mobile, was unveiled on the sidelines of the ongoing two-day conference of Power Ministers at Cansaulim in South Goa.

Developed by the Power Finance Corporation on behalf of the Ministry of Power, the app is aimed at enhancing the consumer connect with the urban power distribution sector by providing information to consumers on power outage, timely release of connections, addressing complaints, power reliability etc.

The app will work as manifestation of Prime Minister's principles of good governance i.e people-focussed and the co-operative federalism.

The minister also launched the "Pradhan Mantri UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LED for all) Yojana" in Goa with a target of replacing approximately 15 lakh LED bulbs, impacting nearly 5 lakh households.

Under the scheme, consumers are entitled to get 3 LED bulbs of 9 watt each at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per piece as against the market price of Rs 300-350.

The scheme will help save over 78 million kwh every year in Goa and about Rs 850-1,000 on annual electricity bills per household.

Goyal also launched "Vidhyut Pravah" app at the event.

"The scope of 'DEEP' (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price) e-Bidding and e-Reverse auction portal has been further expanded by covering banking mechanism and the medium term procurement of power," he said, adding that the government will soon start 100 per cent smart metering to curb the menace of power theft.

He said currently there is a loss of around 24 to 26 per cent of power due to theft during transmission.