Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources, informed here today that his Ministry would spend about Rs.2000 crore to light up around 10,000 remote villages apart from remote hamlets through renewable energy under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyuti Karan Yojana for providing electricity to rural households. The electrification of these villages would be carried out through the Remote Village Electrification Programme of his Ministry during the next three years and provide electricity/lighting to over one million rural households.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the National Meet of Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), the Minister stressed upon the importance given to rural development which is at the core of UPA Government’s agenda. Bharat Nirman for strengthening rural infrastructure is a programme of mammoth dimensions with an outlay of Rs.1,74,000 crore. The electrification of rural remote villages would be carried out as part of this initiative.
Shri Muttemwar further said that the Remote Village Electrification Programme lays great emphasis on involvement of Panchayats and NGOs and every measure is being taken to ensure their complete and full involvement in the same. He also informed that the Ministry has set up District Advisory Committees for smooth implementation of all Renewable Energy Programmes and in this endeavour too NGOs find a prominent place.
RCJ/An-05/17406
(Release ID :17158)