BackMost states yet to formulate plan for rural electrification
Most states yet to formulate plan for rural electrification
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PTI
New Delhi: Majority of the states have not yet formulated the plan for implementation of the Centre’s ambitious rural electrification programme, Government said on 28 April.
Replying to questions in Rajya Sabha, Minister for Power Sushilkumar Shinde said the Centre has been impressing upon the states the need for according priority to implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidhytikaran Yojana (RGGVY).
He said 12 states — Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal — have so far formulated the plan for implementing the programme.
“Some states are taking more than the committed schedule for implementing RGGVY works," he said.
States have been asked to submit rural electrification plans incorporating required strengthening of the sub-transmission systems and ensuring at least 6-8 hours of power supply to electrified villages.
He said the Centre is also planning to request state governments to set up a committee headed by Chief Secretary and comprising the secretaries of Power, Rural Development, Home, Revenue, Forests and Environment to resolve inter-departmental issues.
“This committee will also ensure that there is no delay in issuance of safety clearance prior to taking over of completed RGGVY assets by state utilities," he told the House.
The Centre has been asking states to take action for “expeditious implementation of rural electrification works under RGGVY projects within stipulated timelines," he said. To another question, Shinde said power losses during transmission and because of theft have come down to 32% from 46% two or three years ago.
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