Chhattisgarh aims electricity for all villages in two-and-a-half yrs

Raipur, May 24: Chhattisgarh Government has set itself a target of providing electricity to all hamlets and villages in the state in the next two-and-a-half years, Chief Minister Raman Singh said today.

"The state government has planned to electrify all villages and hamlets in the coming two-and-a-half years with an investment of about Rs 4,000 crore," he told a press conference here a day ahead of the conclusion of 'Lok Suraj Abhiyan' which was launched on April 28.

The state government would provide free land records ('Khasra copy') to 36 lakh families in next three months, he said, adding relief of Rs 2,000 crore has been provided to the drought-affected farmers in the state.

In the next two-and-a-half years, about 50,000 small ponds will be dug for water conservation.

This year more than 5,000 dry ponds were filled with water, Singh said. Under the Prime Minister's Krishi Sinchayee Yojna, the state had sent a proposal of Rs 53,000 crore to the Centre to enhance irrigation facilities, the Chief Minister said.

Singh said he, along with officials, travelled about 8,000 km across the state during the Lok Suraj campaign, covering all 27 districts despite the scorching heat.

He said, during the campaign, villagers raised a number of issues and demands including mobile towers in Bastar region, expansion of road network and better health facilities. On allegation of corruption in AgustaWestland copter deal by the state government in 2007, the Chief Minister said there were no irregularities in the transaction.

PTI