Orissa govt to take on PSUs on rural electrification drive

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 (UNI) Stern action will be taken against the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) which failed to complete the electrification of villages under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyut Yojana (RGGVY) within the stipulated period of 18 months.

Replying to several questions in the Orissa Assembly, state Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 35,705.914 lakh to the NTPC, NHPC and PGCIL during the last four years under the RGGVY through the Rural Electrification Corporation for the implementation of the scheme in Orissa.

The NTPC and NHPC had spent Rs 11,822.27 lakh till the middle of this month and electrified 26 villages so far.

The Minister said lack of raw materials like electric poles and non-release of funds in time were the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the scheme in the state.

Mr Patro denied the allegation that the state government was deliberately delaying the implementation of the Central scheme, keeping the coming election in mind, and instead promoting its own scheme Biju Gramya Jyoti Yojana.

He said Chief Minsiter Naveen Patnaik, during the Collector's conference, directed the Collectors to ensure the speedy implementation of the scheme and the contractors implementing the scheme were promised all assistance if they set up their own manufacturing units to meet their requirements.

The Minister said in the first phase, Angul, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati districts were chosen for the implemention of RGGVY and later Puri, Balasore and Jajpur were added to it. The scheme was now being implemented in five districts - Angul, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri.

He said the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) had already awarded contract for the implementation of the scheme in Balasore and Puri and the contractors had already started survey work.

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