Govt promises 24x7 power for all by 2019

Girja Shankar Kaura

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 5

Power Minister Piyush Goyal today reiterated that all households in the country would get 24x7 electricity by 2019 and the use of Information Technology will help achieve the target.

Addressing the inaugural session of Digital India Conclave 2014, Goyal said: "IT-enabled smart grids can have tremendous impact on the energy sector in India — right from power generation to power consumption. We will ensure that all Indians have 24x7 electricity by March 2019".

The minister also said the government was committed to preventing widespread coal theft by use of CCTV cameras.

Goyal had earlier said the government has initiated speedy environmental clearances, steps to protect environment, renewed thrust to wind power capacity addition besides clearing the long-pending transmission projects worth Rs 12,272 crore.

The minister had stated that these steps would be the government's vision for providing 24x7 consistent power.

The government has also approved Rs 43,033-crore rural electrification scheme, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.

The scheme will replace the existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

The scheme includes strengthening and augmentation of sub transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas, including metering of distribution transformers and feeders.