Continuation of Remote Village Electrification Programme approved

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure today approved the continuation of Remote Village Electrification Programme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy during the remaining period of the 11th Plan.

The Programme aims to provide renewable energy based lighting/basic electricity facilities with 90 per cent Central Financial Assistance to those unelectrified villages and hamlets which are not going to be covered under RGGVY due to infeasibility of grid extension.

The Ministry has so far provided support for coverage of around 9300 villages and hamlets in 25 States.

A variety of renewable energy technologies are being deployed for electrification of remote villages. These include small hydro, wind, biomass and solar energy based options.

The decision to use a particular technology is taken by the State implementing agencies after examination of the technical feasibility and resource availability.

The most commonly used option by the States so far has been solar photovoltaic homelighting systems with 2 lamps for each household.

The Programme will be implemented by the State Governments through their notified implementing agencies.

The Programme is expected to cover 10,000 remote, unelectrified villages and hamlets and benefit around 1 million households.

Availability of lighting/basic electricity to the remote villages and hamlets is expected to lead to improvement in the quality of life of the people, including better health and education.

The total outlay for the programme has been estimated at Rs.867.89 crores during the current Plan period. (ANI)