Inter-State Panel on Reaching the Unreached

February 5, 2020 • 9:30 am – 1:30 pm EST

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The Saubhagya Electrification Program has brought millions of Indians new electricity connections in the past two years. Yet despite these impressive advances, the supply of electricity to many Indians remains poor, while at the same time electricity distribution companies struggle with billing and transmission losses.

Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) in partnership with NITI Aayog, Government of India organized the 4th edition of India Energy for All Summit 2020. CSIS, along with CLEAN, hosted an Inter- state panel (public event) on reaching the unreached and an invitation only private roundtable discussion to build connections and share knowledge offering solutions to India’s energy access problem. The session focused on states energy access priorities and connected energy access practitioners and others present to a few senior level Indian state officials. 

The individual Indian States are vital players in improving the energy landscape in India. The day’s events brought together state level energy experts from four Indian states as well as stakeholders to comment on energy access and the outcomes of improving it.

Agenda:
Discussions with State Chief Secretaries of Energy Department

Moderator : 
Richard Rossow, Senior Advisor and Wadhwani Chair, CSIS

Panalists:
Shri. Ajay Misra – Special Secretary, Energy Department, Telangana
Shri. Alok Katiyar, CEO, Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency, Chhattisgarh
Shri. V. Kiran Gopal – Managing Director, East Distribution Company, Madhya Pradesh
Shri. Mrinal Chaudhary, Additional Director, Assam Renewable Energy Development Agency, Assam
Smt. Charu Jain, Managing Trustee, Advit Foundation
Shri. Debajit Palit, Director, Rural Energy and Livelihoods ,TERI


Inter-State Private Roundtable-Reaching the Unreached:
 The public event was then followed by a private roundtable with a select group of senior state government officials, stakeholders, academia, the private sector, and energy access practitioners to have a more robust discussion around Indian state governments to identify and leverage their energy access policy priorities and opportunities. The outcomes of the roundtable is shared as a memo in this website.
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Afeena Ashfaque
Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident), Chair in U.S. – India Policy Studies