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Patna,(BiharTimes): Though Bihar is the biggest beneficiary of the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), a flagship programme of the central government for rural electrification, it has failed in the state. The scene is more or less the same in other states too.
According to a recent social audit conducted by the Greenpeace India there are serious irregularities in the implementation of the scheme. The Greenpeace selected Saran and Madhubani in Bihar, Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh to know the ground situation. |
In terms of budgetary allocation Bihar has been allocated Rs 4265.93 crore so far, of which 80.9 % has been released.
Twenty blocks of Saran district have been brought under the ambit of RGGVY. The villages are of 'un-electrified’ and ‘de-electrified' category. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is the implementing agency of RGGVY project in Saran district.
The survey said that 78% of the population was still living in darkness. Eighty-seven percent of those who get light complained of low voltage and erratic supply of electricity that often reached villages after midnight when it is of no use to them.
In Saran district, 100% work on village electrification has been achieved and 98.1% (38872 out of 39644) BPL households entitled for free connection have received the facility.
Similarly, 21 blocks of Madhubani district have been brought under the RGGVY project. The villages under the scheme are of 'un-electrified and de-electrified' as well as of 'previously electrified and taken up for intense electrification' categories. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is the implementing agency of RGGVY project in this district.
For Bihar, Greenpeace has recommended a number of small scale renewable energy projects under the 12th Five-Year Plan.
Besides, it suggested the government to take long-term approach while deciding on the cost effectiveness of Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) projects. It calls for providing finances, incentives and subsidies to DRE projects and insert the social audit component in the scheme to enhance accountability of the system. Mandatory provisions should be made for the involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions for better implementation and sustainability of the scheme. There should be provision for energy requirement for irrigation and medium and small scale industries.
According to the recommendations the Planning Commission should allocate resources for capacity development of personnel for better upkeep of projects.
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