Date:05/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/05/stories/2005040501010200.htm

Back Central nod for Rs 337-cr rural electrification project

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , April 4

THE Union Government has approved in principle the Rs 337-crore rural electrification project of the Kerala Government.

The project, under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Programme, envisages supply of power to 879 villages in the State, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, said here on Monday, after participating in a video conference that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, held with the Chief Ministers of various States.

Mr Chandy said the State Government had also submitted to the Centre a project for constructing 15 sub-stations in seven districts. He expected the Centre's approval for the project.

He said that more than one lakh households coming below the poverty line had been given free power connection in 2004-05 under the Accelerated Rural Electrification Programme.

The Chief Minister participated in the video-conference from Technopark here. The Power Secretary, Mrs Lissy Jacob, and the Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board, Mr T.M. Manoharan, also attended the conference.