SHILLONG: Power Minister Clement R Marak was cornered by UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh over the delay in the implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) which aims at providing free electricity connections to BPL (Below Poverty Line) households in rural areas.
Marak was confronted after he gave a contradicting reply during the Question Hour on the second day of the Autumn Session of the Assembly when asked if there were criticisms on the part of the Union Power Ministry against the State Government over the implementation of the RGGVY scheme.
The Power Minister had initially stated that the Government was not aware of any criticism from the Ministry of Power.
Marak later changed his statement after the UDP legislator referred to a news report which stated that during the Power Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi in September last, the Union Power Ministry had expressed its dissatisfaction over the implementation of the RGGVY scheme in few of the States including Meghalaya.
“Yes, questions were raised by the Ministry of Power over the delay of the implementation of the RGGVY scheme in the State. We have explained to the Ministry the various reasons which have resulted in the delay of implementation of the project,” the Power Minister said.
Marak said geographical locations of the villages, less working period, frequent agitation, problem of militancy among others have led to the delay in the implementation of the project.
“Taking into account the problems faced by the State, the Ministry has given extension to complete the implementation of the scheme within January 2014,” Marak said.
The Power Minister, while replying to a supplementary question of the UDP legislator, informed that the overall physical progress of the scheme in terms of percentage is 86 per cent.
The UDP legislator, however, questioned the figure stating that as per the latest figures, out of the total 6026 villages which are supposed to be covered under the scheme, so far only 3568 villages have been electrified.
“Therefore, the physical progress in term of percentage is 59.21 per cent,” Lyngdoh said.
Stating that the figures provided by the UDP legislator could be outdated, the Power Minister said he would table the correct information on the overall physical progress of the scheme in the floor of the House.
Earlier, Marak informed that there is a total sanction of Rs 466.92 crore for electrification of 1866 un-electrified villages, intensification works in 3239 villages and providing free electricity connection to 1,09,696 households.
He also informed the House that work under East Khasi Hills District have been completed and the closure proposal has been submitted to the state government which will thereafter be submitted to Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) for the closing process.
Meanwhile, the works under Jaintia Hills District and Ri-Bhoi District have also been completed, and the Closure Proposals have been submitted to the REC, he informed.
In respect of Garo Hills, 90 per cent of un-electrified villages have been electrified, intensification of 74 per cent electrified villages has been completed and 81 per cent BPL households have been provided electrification.