New Delhi,RAJYA SABHA,28 Apr:Ministry of Power as well as Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. (REC) have been impressing upon the State governments for according priority to implementation of the scheme besides extending support and taking suitable action for expeditious implementation of rural electrification works under RGGVY projects within stipulated timelines for completion of projects.Ministry of Power also proposes to request State Governments to set up State Level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of State Chief Secretary comprising Secretaries of Power, Rural Development, Home, Revenue, Forests and Environment and other related departments to resolve implementation issues requiring interdepartmental coordination. This Committee will also ensure that there is no delay in issuance of safety clearance prior to taking over of completed RGGVY assets by state utilities.
The following steps have been taken for expeditious and qualitative implementation of the scheme:
Release of funds has been linked with achievement of milestones reflecting physical progress and quality checks as prescribed under Three Tier Quality Monitoring Mechanism. ? The Monitoring Committee has already approved 316 projects for execution during 11th Plan period, in addition to 235 projects sanctioned for implementation during 10th Plan.
States have been asked to submit Rural Electrification (RE) Plans incorporating required strengthening of sub-transmission system and ensuring at least 6-8 States have also been asked to make provision for subsidies to BPL consumers in their budgets.
States have been asked to coordinate material supplies including supply of poles, cables, transformers and sub-station equipment for time-bound implementation of the scheme. A National Workshop on the subject was organized by Ministry of Power on 10.04.2008.
States have been asked to take advance action to ensure that projects are awarded within 3 months of sanction for facilitating compression of time schedule for implementation of projects.
To ensure qualitative execution of RE works, a three tier quality control mechanism has been enforced under RGGVY. A Quality Control manual prepared by REC has been issued to the States.
For effective and expeditious implementation of RGGVY, besides constant follow up periodic review meetings are being held by Ministry of Power and REC with the concerned state governments implementing agencies and CPSUs.
This information was given by Union Minister for Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde in reply to a question by Shrimati Shobhana Bhartia in the Rajya Sabha today.