Question : REVIVAL OF BONGAIGAON THERMAL POWER STATION

(a) whether the Government have contemplated to revive, modernize and renovate the only power generating project viz. Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS), Salakati located in Bodoland Territory in lower Assam either by merging it with the NTPC or providing the required fund for the revival, modernization and renovation of the same power project in the backward tribal region;

(b) if so, the steps taken so far in this regard;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government have taken any scheme and action plan to provide power connectivity to the backward indigenous tribal people in all the tribal villages in Assam with special mention to Bodoland territory;

(e) if so, the action taken in this regard so far; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )

(a) & (b) : Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (4x60 MW) has been identified for Renovation & Modernization (R&M)/Life Extension (LE) during the 10th Plan. Units 1&2 are to be taken up in the first phase and units 3&4 in the second phase. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had agreed to act as a consultant for reviving the thermal units at Bongaigaon TPS. Order has been placed with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for Residual Life Assessment (RLA) Studies. The LE programme would be finalized after completion of RLA studies.

(c) : Does not arise.

(d) & (e) : The Prime Minister in the meeting with the Chief Ministers and Governments of North-Eastern States held on 22.01.2000 had announced that 165 tribal villages in North Eastern States would be electrified under Prime Ministers` Socio- economic packages for the development of the North Eastern States at an estimated cost of Rs.25.92 crores. Out of this, 20 tribal villages of Assam State including the villages of Bodoland were taken up for electrification at an estimated cost of Rs.1.35 crores. Ten villages have been declared as electrified and works in the remaining ten villages are in progress.

(f) : Does not arise.