High priority to provide electricity to all : Sinha

Jammu, Jan 8 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt-Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said the state government is giving high priority to provide electricity to the un-electrified and de-electrified hamlets.

Addressing the joint sitting of state Legislative Assemby and Legislative Council, the Governor said the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidhutikaran Yojana is under implementation and the 450 MW Phase-I of Baglihar project is likely to be commissioned by next December 2007 whileas work on the 450 MW Baglihar phase II has already begun.

He said five hydel projects namely New Ganderbal (93 MW), Shutkari Kulan (95 MW), Parnai (37.5 MW), Lower Kalnai (50MW) and Karthai (240 MW) are planned for execution during the 11th Five Year Plan.

''Similarly, Ganderbal, Sumbal, Lower Jhelum and Chenani hydroelectric projects are being taken up under Renovation, Modernisation and Upgradation Programme,'' he said.

The Central Government, the Governor said, has agreed to transfer the 1000 MW Pakal-Dul hydroelectric project to the state alongwith resources.

''Concerted efforts by the state government and NHPC, work on the 45 MW Nimo-Bazgo hydroelectric project in Leh and 44 MW Chutak hydroelectric project in Kargil have commenced in time during the current year and will be completed within four years,'' he said.

With central assistance, the state government is getting 1000 micro-hydel projects constructed by the army under PMRP in remote areas on the mountains, he told the house.

''Each project provides approximately 5KW of electricity with 30 to 40 light points in a village and by day the electric power is utilized for grinding corns or operating looms.,'' he said.

Most of these projects have been completed and efforts are on to complete the remaining, he said, adding that thousands of households in remote areas which had never seen electricity before have been benefited by this scheme.

''Power Development Department has also taken up for execution a number of projects in the transmission and distribution sector which includes construction of 32 grid stations. Simultaneously, government is committed to power sector reforms including 100 per cent metering,'' he said.

UNI