Finally, Central nod for rural electrification in Kodagu

Govt approves Rs 38.39 crore for first phase of the scheme

The Centre has finally given its nod for the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme in Kodagu district. The Government has approved Rs 38.39 crore for the rural electrification in the first stage.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Chescom Executive Engineer Lakshmipathi said government has approved for the implementation of the scheme in the first phase. As per the agreement between Rajiv Gandhi Electrification Corporation, Karnataka government and Chescom, the Corporation has agreed to release the money only after State government provides all the facilities. The Corporation has approved the financial assistance of Rs 3839.09 lakh (this includes Rs 3455.18 lakh subsidy and Rs 383.91 lakh loan).

He said in the first phase, electricity will be supplied to 30,000 beneficiaries from BPL families. As per the rules, like Bhagya Jyothi scheme, the beneficiaries can use only 20 unit electricity (one bulb). However, since Kodagu is a hilly region, the rules have been slightly changed. Kodagu is covered with forest. The electricity must be supplied via forest. Moreover, the houses are situated in far off places. As a result, the expenditure will be more than Rs 5,000 per beneficiary. The demand to consider Kodagu on the model of Assam, Darjeeling and Shimla have been finally agreed. By looking at the progress of the first phase of the project, the Corporation will give its nod for the second stage of the project.

Rs 60 cr tender
Lakshmipathi said Chescom has given tender for Rs 60 crore to Deepak cables for the implementation of the project. The Chescom has already paid Rs 3.67 crore in advance. A sum of Rs 8.75 crore worth materials have already been purchased. The work on laying the electricity poles and power lines have been drawn. The work on drawing power line to 451 BPL families in Virajpet and Somwarpet taluks have been completed. “Now we have to give connections to these houses. With the approval of the project by the Centre, electricity will be supplied to 3,471 houses in the district.”

It has been decided to provide electricity connection to BPL families in 67 villages in Madikeri, 132 villages in Somwarpet taluk and 92 villages in Virajpet taluk. The Gram Panchayat will send the list of beneficiaries who come under BPL families to ZP CEO for approval. Only after the approval, the Chescom will provide electricity connection.

However, there are confusions over BPL card lists in the district.

He said at present, the Chescom has list of 4,998 BPL families in Somwarpet, 3,500 families in Virajpet and 4,500 families in Madikeri taluk who do not have electricity connection. However, there will be change in the list after the revised BPL list is announced. The first phase of the project will be implemented after the revised BPL card holders list is available.

Rural Electrification Corporation has appointed CPRI as consultant to look into the progress of the project. NTPC will check the quality of the work. With the approval of the project, hundreds of BPL families can light up their house in the rural villages. However, the project does not cover towns and cities.