ANSWER: Punjab
Explanation:
The race to join UDAY just added one more state- Punjab which has become the 7th state to join the UDAY scheme for the revival of discos. It will help to save INR 5475 crore within the next three years of the programme. Other 2 states which also signed up to join the scheme are AP and Haryana. Once Punjab joined the UDAY scheme, close to INR 1.6 lakh crore debt of discos have been covered under the programme which has sought to revive struggling power discoms. Once Punjab has signed the agreement, close to INR 1.6 lakh crore debt of discoms have been covered through pact, which is close to 37% of the total outstanding INR 4.3 lakh crore in the nation. Agreement was signed so that state electricity department can save up to INR 600 crore on account of interest saving alone. The aim is to make Punjab a power surplus state. Under the scheme, it is envisaged that aggregate technical and commercial transmission losses will burn in additional revenue, apart from efforts to improve operational efficiency.
