(a) whether the Union Government has directed the State Governments to notify rural
areas as per the Electricity Act 2003 under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran
Yojana (RGGVY);
(b) if so, the number of States which have responded the Union Government`s
direction so far;
(c) the number of States which are yet to notify the rural areas and the reasons for
delay; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for the timely implementation of RGGVY
scheme?
THE MINISTER OF POWER ( SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE )
(a) : Yes Sir.
(b) : 26 states have notified rural areas under Section-14 of the Electricity Act,
2003.
(c) : Only Manipur state is left to notify rural areas. Manipur Government is
finding it difficult to notify rural areas in five hill districts as these districts are under the
provisions of Article 244(1) of the Constitution of India, being inhabited by the
Scheduled Tribes. As such issuance of a notification for rural areas under the Indian
Electricity Act, 2003 in accordance with the 73 Amendment of the Constitution of India,
in respect of the five hill districts is still pending. Ministry of Power has advised the
State Government on 9th October, 2006 that since the administration of five hill districts
of Manipur is under the provisions of Article 244(1) of the Constitution of India being
inhabited by Scheduled Tribes, the State Government may notify the rural areas in such
districts as it considers appropriate for the purpose of Section-14 of the Electricity Act,
2003.
(d) : Following steps have been taken to expedite the implementation of Rajiv
Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY):
- Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has entered into Agreements with State Governments/State Power Utilities/Discoms for implementation of the scheme.
- To augment the implementation capacities of the State Electricity Boards/Power Utilities, the services of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) have been taken. Rural Electrification Corporation has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with CPSUs like National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPC), POWERGRID, National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
- For effective implementation of the project, REC has also developed the framework covering the guidelines for formulation of projects, procurement of goods and services for projects to be executed on turn key basis including bidding procedure, franchisee implementation and technical specifications for equipment / material and construction standards for adoption in project implementation / execution.
- Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are prepared district-wise for the purpose of cohesiveness and better implementation of projects.
- For speedier and effective implementation of the project, these are executed on turnkey basis.
- States have been advised to set-up district committees to monitor the progress of rural electrification works. All the States have already notified formation of district committees.
- The Government of India as also REC, the nodal agency for RGGVY, are conducting frequent review meetings with all the stakeholders e.g concerned State Governments, state power utilities and implementing agencies for expeditious implementation of the scheme as per agreed schedules.
- Government of India has set up an inter-Ministerial Monitoring Committee which periodically meets to sanction projects and review progress of implementation.