Government to electrify over 1.18 lakh villages by 2012: Shinde

New Delhi, June 1 (ANI): Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said that the government has set a target of providing electricity to 1,18,000 villages in the country under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna by 2012.

Assuming his charge on Monday, he said that more than 61,000 villages already been have been electrified under this scheme.

Shinde said that the government has also accorded high priority to provide free connection to over 2,45,00,000 BPL families.

He said more than 60 lakh families have already been provided free connection.

He said that nine ultra mega power plants would also be set up by the end of 2012 to meet energy demands of the country. (ANI)