PM launches new scheme for power reforms in rural areas

Patna, Jul 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the 'Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana' for power sector reforms in rural areas with a view to ensuring round the clock electricity supply to farmers and rural households.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme here, Modi said that development is the panacea for all problems related to poverty and unemployment.

The new power scheme focuses on feeder separation (rural households and agricultural) and strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure, including metering at all levels in rural areas.

The scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Power Ministry and will facilitate 24x7 supply of electricity. The earlier scheme for rural electrification, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), which was launched by previous UPA government, has been subsumed in the new scheme as its rural electrification component.

The major components of the new scheme are feeder separation; strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network; Metering at all levels (input points, feeders and distribution transformers); Micro grid and off grid distribution network & Rural electrification- already sanctioned projects under RGGVY to be completed.

The scheme has an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore for implementation of the projects under which the Centre shall provide grant of Rs 63,000 crore. A total of Rs 14,680 crore worth projects have already been approved out of which projects amounting to Rs 5,827 crore have been approved for Bihar state.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Daniawan-Bihar Sharif new railway line; flagged off the Rajgir-Bihar Sharif-Daniawan-Fatuha passenger train and Patna-Mumbai AC Suvidha Express and dedicated to the nation the permanent IIT Campus at Patna.

He also launched and laid the foundation stone for Incubation Centre for Medical Electronics, Patna; and inaugurated the construction of the first phase of the Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline project.

PTI