Centre to pump more money in NE

Shillong, May 9 (UNI) In a bid to boost power generation in the North Eastern Region, the Centre plans to pump in Rs 28,000 crore to add 5,615 MW of power during the 11th Five Year Plan, with 4,055 MW of hydro and 1,560 MW of thermal power.

Suitable investments would also be made for strengthening the transmission and distribution networks, an official statement said today.

The Centre has approved the continuation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana during the 11th Plan period with a capital subsidy of Rs 28,000 crore. Rs 5,500 crore is proposed to be allocated in 2008-09 for the yojana, including the North Eastern Region.

The statement also said that the government has also proposed to provide Rs 800 crore in 2008-09 for the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Project. A National fund for transmission and distribution reform is proposed to be created.

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