Chandigarh, Aug. 11 -- Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has sought a status report on the modernisation of Punjab's electricity infrastructure, particularly the ongoing work to remove overhead power lines and poles from agricultural fields and replace them with underground cabling. Raising the issue through a supplementary question in the Rajya Sabha, Sandhu also sought details of the financial assistance being provided by the Centre to Punjab for strengthening its power distribution network. Responding to the query, Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar said such projects are undertaken by state governments according to their requirements and jurisdiction. He underlined the importance of the financial viability of Punjab's distribution companies (DISCOMs) in accessing loans and implementing power-sector projects. Khattar said Punjab's CM had met him regarding the state's requirement for loans from REC and PFC, but both institutions are autonomous and assess the financial viability of DISCOMs independently before extending loans. htc...