‘All houses to get power by March 2019’
Nagaland Power department launched Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana — “Saubhagya” scheme on Friday. The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, 2017, aims to achieve universal household electrification in all parts of the country in a time bound manner.
Addressing the inauguration programme, at the chief engineer’s conference hall, Power department adviser Tovihoto Ayemi said that those who do not have electricity could have power supply by paying Rs. 50 in ten instalments that comes to Rs. 500 per connection.
Ayemi informed that to facilitate the connection the department of power would organize camps in villages and cluster villages. He said information would also be given in the form of advertisement in all the local dallies and social media etc.
The advisor stated that un-electrified households could avail the connection on spot during the camps. He, however, reminded that consumers have to pay the cost of electricity bill.
Ayemi said mentioned about Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) based standalone system for un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible villages/habitations, where grid extension is not feasible or cost-effective.
Further, advisor also urged the department officials involved in the scheme to be more proactive, dedicated and focus on the target. In his address, commissioner & secretary Power, KD Vizo, said the main aim of this scheme was to provide electricity to all un-electrified households in both urban and rural areas. He said this whole project will would be monitored by Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). In this scheme, Vizo said every state was supposed to complete the household electrification by March 31, 2019.
He added that implementation part was indeed a huge task for the Department.
As per the record, Vizo said there were 2,81,811 rural households in the state and out of that 1,93,502 rural households were already electrified. However, since 21,543 rural households was already covered by DDUGJY scheme, he said only 66,766 rural households were proposed to be covered under Saubhagya scheme.
For urban areas, he said there were 1,43,077 urban households in the State and out of that 1,18,511 urban households were already electrified. Therefore, he said only 24,566 urban households were proposed to be covered under Saubliagya scheme.
Stating that the department would be covering 738 villages, he the poor people in rural areas would therefore be greatly benefited.
Vizo reminded that electricity connection would be released only after due verifications with essential documents like voter ID, passport, driving license /ration card/Aadhar card etc for proof of identity. He said facilities to be provided would be only single point wiring with provision for LED bulb, Mobile charging points and Switch.