JOIN USSoon, pay for new power connection in EMIs
The Centre is planning to launch a scheme under which consumers can pay for the new connection in monthly installments over five years.
The consumers will also be able to avail the service on demand. “We want to provide this facility to everyone. If he or she asks for electricity connection then it must be provided,” Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday at a conference organised to mark the completion of two years of the NDA regime.
The minister said, “Poor people get electricity connection free of cost. But for those who are above poverty line, the amount paid for a new connection will be charged through equated monthly installments in five years. We are working on such a scheme and will soon launch it.”
The minister also said that the government will come out with a simple application for those seeking power connection.
On the occasion, Goyal also advocated cross-subsidisation of power tariff and said, “The Indian farmer deserves low cost power. We support cross-subsidisation by larger commercial or industrial establishments for other consumers.”
The minister also said the government is working on a policy for reverse auction for wind power projects on the lines of solar power projects, which will witness lowering of tariff to below Rs 5 per unit.
At present, wind power projects are awarded on the basis of feed in tariff, which is provided by the regulator on the basis of costs of land, equipment and other services. On village electrification, the minister expressed confidence that the target of electrifying 18,452 villages will be achieved ahead of the set deadline of May 1, 2018.
Buoyed by the success of Uday Scheme for revival of debt-ridden discoms, the minister said bonds worth Rs 1.5-1.75 lakh crore are expected to be issued in the ongoing
fiscal.
Lights go off at minister’s briefing
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday had an embarrassing situation when lights went off at a press briefing on achievements of his ministry, DHNS reports from New Delhi.
Goyal was holding the conference to talk about the achievements of his ministries during the first two years of the Modi government when the lights suddenly went off and remained so for some time. Talking in lighter vein, Goyal said, “My wife tells me that power should go off once in every programme that I hold so that I can be sure that I have miles to go before I rest and sleep. I don't know whether they have made it a practice or guidance or it is actually gone.”