Date:13/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/13/stories/2008021355021500.htm

National

Centre revamps rural electrification programme

Sujay Mehdudia

Electrification of border, disturbed districts on priority basis
Compulsory to supply minimum 6 to 8 hours of power to villages

NEW DELHI: Seeking to put back on track the power sector , the Centre has given a major boost to the rural electrification programme by allocating Rs. 28,000 crore for the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna (RGGVY) during the 11th Plan including taking up on priority electrification of border and disturbed districts .

Other initiatives

With a plan to provide electricity on demand by 2012, various initiatives including setting up of 9 Ultra Mega Power Projects and allowing more players in the manufacture of power equipment have been taken. Reliable sources informed that the Cabinet recently granted its approval for a revamped and efficient RGGVY — households covered under this scheme are to be provided electricity by the end of the 11th Plan.

Interestingly, out of the 1.20 lakh villages , electricity had been provided in 40,000 villages till date.

Under the scheme, the government has now sanctioned electrification of habitations with a population of 100 which earlier was limited to habitations with 300 or more people. It has also been made compulsory to supply minimum 6 to 8 hours of power to villages electrified under the RGGVY. In the 11th Plan, the cost norm for giving free connections to Below Poverty Line families has been raised to Rs. 2,200 per connection from Rs. 1,500. All the North-East, border and disturbed districts will now be taken up for electrification under the RGGVY on priority basis.

Sources said as on January 25, 2008, 45,602 un-electrified villages have been electrified. Further, 25,087 villages have been intensively electrified. Electricity connections have been provided to 22.87 lakh rural households which include free connections to 18.76 lakh BPL households.