OUR CORRESPONDENT
Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy R K Singh today said, the NDA government has revamped the power sector and electricity supply to rural areas is its priority.
Addressing media in New Delhi on the completion of four years of NDA rule, Mr Singh said, a project of about 75 thousand crore rupees have been approved for revamping the power distribution in the rural areas, under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana and Rural Electrification Scheme.
He said, India has became the net exporter of electricity for the first time and the country has emerged as One Nation One Grid in the last four years. Mr Singh said, his ministry has drafted a new tariff policy and has invited comments and suggestions from the states.
In that draft, there will be several new reforms. For instance, after 31st March 2019, any gratuitous load-shedding would invite penalties. The Minister said, the Centre has doubled the generation of renewable energy and Renewable Energy Management Centers are being set up to promote the sector.
He said, Globally, India stands 4th in wind power, 5th in renewable power and 6th in solar power installed capacity. He said, his ministry is well on track to achieving 175 GW target of installed renewable energy capacity.
Mr Singh said, Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Maha Abhiyan, KUSUM, scheme will be launched soon under which 27.5 lakh solar pumps will be distributed.