National   

`Village electrification' to be redefined

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 28. The Government has proposed to redefine the term "village electrification'' to provide for wider coverage of village households, the Power Secretary, R. V. Shahi, said at a seminar organised by the CII on power transmission and distribution here.

At present, a village was considered to be electrified even if one household has access to power. The new definition proposes to raise the threshold level to 10 or 15 per cent in a village, Mr. Shahi said. The present estimates placed the number of unelectrified villages at around 80,000. The Government planned to complete the task of rural electrification by 2007. The Government also proposed to bring out a set of policies for electricity sector as required by the new bill. An electricity tariff policy, national electricity policy, rural electricity supply policy and rural electrification policy would be put in place within six months.

On the issue of T&D reforms, he said the Government had already introduced an accelerated power development and reforms programme.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman, Ashok Basu, said that ahead of the tariffs finalisation for the power sector, the body proposed to notify new norms by the year-end. New terms and conditions would get under way by December 31.

He said the revised norms would address a whole range of issues, including fixed and variable charges, return on equity and operations and maintenance expenses. A discussion paper would be circulated by May-end inviting comments on various issues, including trading licences, which have been accorded distinct status under the electricity legislation cleared by Parliament this month.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Indo-Pak. talks on Indus begin
• Govt. may amend Cable TV Act
• Tehelka tapes to be sent to London for analysis
• Parliament attack: `intercepts not reliable'
• Decline in cross-border narcotics smuggling
• Cong. surprised over Centre's stand on Ayodhya
• Infiltration `effort' continuing: Army chief
• Naidu prepares rank and file for Assembly polls
• Court seeks Centre's explanation on delay in grain delivery
• BJP MP quits party, plans to float regional outfit
• `Witch hunting' on Indo-Bangla border
• `Village electrification' to be redefined
• What about NPAs, asks former Minister
• Ascertaining the trend of tiger population
• Govt. to regulate functioning of placement agencies
• Correction

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu