Centre and states will swing into action to improve power connectivity in the country. This was the commitment that states gave on Thursday to Union power, renewable energy and coal minister Piyush Goyal.
"By December 2018 we will achieve total rural electrification in the country. Most of the states, too, have agreed that this target is indeed achievable within this time frame," said Piyush Goyal, after attending a bi-annual state power ministers' conference at the capital.
"The challenges in achieving 24x7 power for all are not over yet and in the next three-four months, a final push is needed to electrify the remaining 4,141 un-electrified villages in the country," Goyal said.
In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a target to electrify 18,452 unelectrifed villages by May 1, 2018. "We have taken power to 13,377 villages so far. Once every household has power we will take a little longer to ensure uninterrupted power to all these households," Goyal said.
States with the most number of villages without power have been identified as Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar by the Union power ministry.
The conference that began on Wednesday, had reviewed coal, power and renenwable energy related issues faced by the states. Goyal said that he is in duscussion with states to form a long term concessional contract with industries.
"We want the power sector to give a boost to manufacturing to make in India. For this, we have ensured that all coal supply related issues are resolved," said Goyal.
The bi-annual conference also discussed simplifying power tariff structures and bringing down the number of variated slabs in which a power consumer is charged for his usage. "We are proposing to have 15 unified tariff rates for power sale across the country. Presently, there are more than 90 tariff structures that are prevalent," said Goyal.
Among other developments, the meeting also discussed the impact of a new coal policy and a wind energy auction to generate 1,000 MW of clean energy. "The auction will be announced later this month," said Goyal.
Goyal's power ministry has also proposed to link Aadhar enabled payment system for paying power bills in the near future. "It is basically for your benefit, it will ensure that you are never sending a wrong bill or overcharged for your use," said Goyal.
