In a decisive push towards modernizing Himachal Pradesh’s power sector and combating electricity theft, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has instructed the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) to adopt a comprehensive strategy, including feeder metering and digital mapping of consumers, to assess and control power losses in the state. Presiding over a high-level meeting with officials from the State Electricity Board and the Energy Department, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgency of tightening control measures, citing the mounting concern of non-technical power losses and the economic burden it places on the state.
CM Sukhu said the implementation of feeder-wise mapping of all commercial, industrial, and domestic power consumers will centralize data and ensure seamless access to consumer details through a single-click interface. Such digitization, he asserted, would enhance accountability and transparency within the electricity distribution system, curbing misuse and laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability in the energy infrastructure.
Further strengthening his reform agenda, the Chief Minister directed that all HPSEBL officials currently on deputation in other energy-linked departments—including the Directorate of Energy, the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation, and the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation—be given a clear option to return to the parent department or continue in their present roles. He clarified that civil wing employees could also opt for departments like PWD, and reassured that their existing service terms, including promotions and benefits, would remain unaffected. To this end, the state government will amend relevant policies, ensuring that employees’ entitlements are preserved while enabling organizational flexibility.
In a significant employment announcement, the Chief Minister revealed that HPSEBL will soon see the recruitment of 2,000 T-mates and linemen. This hiring drive is aimed at improving the efficiency and field-level response of the Board, which plays a vital role in the last-mile delivery of power services in the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh.
Turning attention to the state’s ambitious hydro power initiatives, CM Sukhu reviewed the status of the 450 MW Shong-Tong Karcham Hydro Power Project. He set a clear deadline of November 2026 for the completion of the project and stressed the need for meticulous planning of power evacuation infrastructure to prevent delays or financial losses once the plant becomes operational. Given the importance of hydropower in Himachal Pradesh’s energy landscape and revenue generation, the project’s timely execution is seen as a cornerstone in the state’s journey towards energy self-reliance.
To bolster institutional integrity in high-growth zones, the Chief Minister also instructed the transfer of officers and staff who have served extended tenures in industrial areas. This move, he noted, is essential for promoting transparency and minimizing any possibility of collusion or administrative laxity.
The meeting was attended by key figures in the power sector, including HPSEBL Chairman Sanjay Gupta, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Power Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Managing Director HPSEBL Sandeep Kumar, Director of Energy Rakesh Prajapati, and Managing Director of H.P. Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. Rajiv Sood, among others.
CM Sukhu’s focus on systemic improvements and employment generation underlines his government’s commitment to energy reforms that balance accountability with innovation, and infrastructure expansion with fiscal prudence. As Himachal Pradesh aims for energy efficiency and service excellence, these measures are expected to usher in a new phase of consumer-focused and corruption-free governance in the electricity sector.
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