Will ensure proper electricity supply, says Scindia

New Delhi: The newly appointed Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that his priorities will be to ensure proper electricity supply in the country. Scindia, a young Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Madhya Pradesh, has been appointed as Minister of State, Independent Charge, for Power. “Priorities will be to ensure that there is proper electric supply. Both the government and private electric companies work in tandem for the united goal of country’s progress,” said Scindia. He takes over the reins of the Power Ministry at a time when the sector is grappling with acute fuel shortages besides environmental hurdles, which are also hurting electricity generation in the country.

“I will also try to ensure coordination with Coal and Environment Ministries,” Scindia said. “As the UPA government vision, I will try to make sure that the remote areas of the country gets power supply. I will try to ensure growth in the sector,” he noted. Jitin Prasada, the new Minister of State for Defence and Human Resource Development, said: “It is a big responsibility that my party and its leaders - Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have bestowed on me.”

He was earlier Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways. “I am really grateful to Mrs Gandhi, Singh and Rahul Gandhi for considering me for these sensitive portfolios. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities,” he added. The industry, meanwhile, said it is pleased to see a combination of young and experienced faces in the new Cabinet, particularly expressing hope that crucial areas of infrastructure like power will get priority.